by Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
When you first meet Cola Mae Harris, her charming personality and witty sense of humor will intrigue you.
When you hear this 82-year-old grandmother sing, you will think you’ve heard an angel’s voice. Harris has been the choir director of Renewed Life Ministries Church for 32 years, and the entire congregation affectionately knows her as “mother.” When one of the church members contacted the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Builders Care program about Harris’ living conditions, Bill Wilson and Chris Simons of Builders Care went to visit her. Harris told them she has been praying for someone to fix her house. And this house certainly needed fixing, Simons said.
The ceiling was falling down, the floor was about to crack, and there was no air-conditioning or heat. After assessing all the problems Wilson contacted Don Wilford, president of ICI Homes of Jacksonville and together they came up with a plan to rebuild Harris’ home and her life. Wilford developed an hourly schedule that had ICI’s trade partners working for five long days alongside the Builders Care team. From plumbing to framing, from electrical to flooring, ICI accomplished the impossible. In one week they renovated and furnished Harris’ house so she can live safely and with pride.
The renovation of Harris’ home was the 500th home Builders Care has restored since it was created in 2001. The busy week started at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8 when all of Harris’ belongings were packed and loaded into a U-Haul so the demolition could begin. The carpet, plumbing fixtures, rotten floors, kitchen cabinets and more had to be removed so B&G Plumbing and Owen Electric could start their work.
Fred Davis of Davis & Associates Builders started the framing, and the one-week clock started to tick. On Tuesday, All About Air & More and Davis continued the renovation process, and on Wednesday, Woodsman Kitchens and Floors started on the kitchen. J. Medina Painting began the interior painting project, Cornerstone Painting and Drywall tackled the exterior painting and Marcello completed the walkway and driveway with brick pavers.
The washer and dryer, range and refrigerator were delivered on Thursday by First Coast Supply and Gale Insulation started the insulation process. Now Harris’ home was ready to be furnished and Sisler Johnston Interior Design spent Friday decorating the house with furniture and accessories. It was time for ICI Homes to stock the pantry and buy Harris a television.
Saturday’s homecoming was exciting, emotional and fulfilling.
City Councilman Reggie Fullwood was there along with ICI’s team, the Builders Care team and many NEFBA members. A special song performed for Harris by the Renewed Live Ministries Church choir — the choir she has directed for so many years, highlighted the event.
When the crowd in front of her house parted to reveal her house and the choir, Harris began to cry. She thanked God for having ICI Homes and Builders Care answer her prayers.
When Wilford and Wilson took her on a tour of her new house, she walked from room to room amazed at what was accomplished in one week. She couldn’t wait to show her family, her friends and her congregation what God had provided.