WOODY MARSHALL/THE TELEGRAPH George

George Hamlin grew up watching his father drive a Trailways bus.

His dad traveled the highways for more than 40 years, passing through small towns and making stops in big cities. He was recognized by the company for his safe driving record, with more than 2 million miles without an accident. On a summer night four months ago, George must have thought one of his father’s old 12-ton buses had wrecked on top of his roof. “It sounded like an airplane crash,” he said. George doesn’t need many visual reminders of the night of July 3. He can simply point to the large, blue tarp where his roof used to be.

It covers the back side of the house his parents built in Bloomfield in the early 1950s.

Shameika Boatman and her mother Julia both have had it with the row of run-down houses, 3-foot tall weeds, and piles of garbage.

“Once upon a time we had everybody staying in every house, I had friends, we had the store over there…it was just an all around all right neighborhood,” says Shameika.

Sadly, that’s not the story anymore.

Original article: http://www.41nbc.com/news/local-news/8726-macon-residents-say-second-street-needs-clean-up

Thanks to the Middle Georgia Woodworkers Association, Clenda and her grandchildren will be able to enjoy years of “playing school” with their friends and family in this replica of a one room school house – complete with a ringing school bell, Cyprus-siding, chalk and dry-erase boards, coat rack, 2 student desks and 1 teacher’s desk.  Unlike the school houses of old, this school house will have electric lighting and air-conditioning.

Congratulations to Clenda Watkins for being the 2011 Playhouse Raffle winner!!

Rebuilding Macon is looking forward to the 2012 Playhouse Raffle.  The Middle Georgia Woodworkers Association is set to build a pirate ship.  Shiver me timbers matey!  Get ready to buy your tickets!  You could be the next winner for the Rebuilding Macon Playhouse Raffle.  All funds are used to help repair the homes of low-income elderly and disabled homeowners – free of charge.

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A flash mob from Theatre Macon got the festivities started by chanting “We can build a beautiful city!” A band rocked Butler Toyota in North Macon as the folks who attended celebrated the promise of a better city.

Read full article at 41WMGT.

One Central Georgia charity wants to revamp an old abandoned school building and make it the heart of a Macon community.

Debra Rollins with Rebuilding Macon presented her idea before the Bibb County board of Commissioners Tuesday.

She says the Elam Alexander school would make the perfect headquarters for the non-profit organization who’s mission is repairing homes for the elderly.

Read more: http://www.13wmaz.com/news/article/144916/175/Macon-Charity-Has-Plans-for-Abandoned-School

This past summer several hundred students came to Macon to paint and rebuild homes. The organization wants to use the school as a place for the students to have a home while they are away from home.

Rebuilding Macon’s Executive Director, Debra Rollins, met with Bibb County Board of Commissioners asking help to fund the project.

They just haven’t figured out how yet.

Commission Chairman Sam Hart said it doesn’t appear the about $2,000 in fees for the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission could be waived, or that the county commission itself could cover the costs. Hart said he hopes commissioners and the county attorneys can find more ideas before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. meeting — and possibly pass the hat for more donations from commissioners themselves.

Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/09/20/1711158/bibb-commissioners-supportive.html#ixzz1YWF0zYRl

The group, Rebuilding Macon, wants to turn the former Elam Alexander Academy into a community center as well as dormitory space for volunteers — usually youth groups — who come to the city to help paint and repair homes.
Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/09/20/1710565/agency-wants-to-acquire-former.html#ixzz1YVl8U4Lq

The great-grandfather of 13 said aging can be a liberating and joyful process with the right attitude. Aging can also be a frustrating and scary process as many elderly homeowners in Macon and Bibb County will tell you.

Rebuilding Macon fills a pressing need in our communities. The rising cost of living and falling social service budgets have left some of our most vulnerable neighbors without the most basic of necessities, a warm, safe, and dry home.

The nation is facing enormous problems, many of which have reached crisis levels. The low-income homeowners that Rebuilding Macon serves are disproportionately affected by these issues. The costs of owning and maintaining a home are growing exponentially. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, leaving low-income citizens with less and less disposable income for home repairs and modifications.

Rebuilding Macon focuses on the issues of the elderly and disabled low-income homeowner. By identifying the challenges associated with these issues we are well placed to face a problem with full understanding and to create real, sustainable solutions for the low-income homeowners we serve.

In an effort to maintain funding to continue assisting our homeowners, Rebuilding Macon produces the annual “Up on the Roof” charity auction. All proceeds from the event will support the Emergency Repairs Program.

Who: Rebuilding Macon, Inc.

What: “Up on the Roof” Charity Auction

When: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6:30 p.m. Live Auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Butler Toyota Showroom, 4580 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA

Cost: $25 per person

Why: In partnership with the community, Rebuilding Macon rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may live in warmth, safety and independence.

Come out and enjoy great food, live entertainment with the Crankin’ Daddies, and incredible auction items.

• Silent & Live Auction
• Live Entertainment
• Video Presentation
• Heavy Hors d’oeuvres & Wine

Photos from the 2010 Up on the Roof Charity Auction held at Butler Toyota.

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The proceeds from “Up on the Roof” will be used to support Rebuilding Macon’s Emergency Repairs Program.

Download: 2011 Auction Items Program Listing (37kb .pdf)

2011 Sponsors

Community Rebuilders

Neighborhood Rebuilders

Home Rebuilders