Volunteers repair eight Pocahontas Island homes for free

More than 100 volunteers with Rebuilding Together Richmond spent two days repairing eight homes on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg, at no cost to the owners. Eight corporate sponsors backed the crews. The work included new porches and steps, cleared brush, and accessibility changes so older homeowners can get in and out more safely.

Paul Willis, who lives on a fixed income, watched a front porch and a back porch go up and called it a dream come true. He said he could see his backyard again after volunteers cleared trees and poison ivy. Angie Mason, 77, said she had asked for little so someone else could be helped too. Crews still painted her porch, built front steps, and put in flowers. Malcolm Jones of Rebuilding Together Richmond said the point is safer homes, not only a fresher look.