The Queen City and a west side family hit the national airwaves…
The Queen City and a west side family hit the national airwaves…
It was back in November when crews from Extreme Home Makeover …
Updated: Saturday, 14 Nov 2009, 4:06 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 14 Nov 2009, 1:16 PM EST
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The big day is finally here for a west side family.
The Extreme Home Makeover crew will unveil the newly rebuilt Powell home on Massachusetts Avenue Saturday afternoon around 3 or 4 p.m.
Extreme Home Makeover crews are in the home stretch here on Buffalo's west side.
David Stapleton said, "We're cleaning, we're moving in furniture and over night we're gonna be doing all the set up and accessorizing the house."
Delores Powell and her four children will have a new house to come home to when they return from Disney World on Saturday.
Loida Alemany exclaimed, "I'm happy for her. I know who she is
so I'm happy for her."
There's no question this has been an uplifting week for
Buffalo's west side and all of Western New Yorkers who see this
project as a good thing.
Lori Dudziak lives in South Buffalo.
"Same thing as bringing everybody over here. It's just amazing
to have this done here," she said.
But what happens when Extreme Home Makeover leaves, taking
away the bright lights and thousands of volunteers and extra police
presence?
"I wonder that too. I'm hoping it doesn't happen because some people will hate you, you know? They get jealous and envious but the good thing is they're fixing a lot of the other houses, they're helping other people too so maybe that won't happen," Loida expressed.
Many of the families who live on the west side may not have a lot of money but they are proud of what they do have.
Councilman David Rivera doesn't represent this neighborhood but he grew up on the west side.
"You work with your neighbors, have your neighbors look over it, work with your block clubs and associations, look out for each other's properties," Rivera explained.
Aaron Bartley is from PUSH Buffalo, an organization working to rebuild the west side.
Delores Powell is also a member.
He explained, "Every resident of this street that I've spoken with is very proud of Delores. I think, it feels, a lot of pride for the neighborhood as well that's it's finally getting the recognition that it deserves for the hardworking people who live here."
And because of that pride, people who live and work in Buffalo think everyone will come together to look out for one another and the new house going up on Massachusetts Avenue.
And if you're planning on being there for Saturday's big reveal, you're asked to park at the Erie Basin Marina.
Shuttles to and from Massachusetts Avenue will run between 9 a.m. and noon.
Organizers said if you try to walk up to the site, you'll likely be turned away.
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