Former volunteer firefighter Ascencion Gonzalez, 74, said he was treated “like a VIP” when volunteers from Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley visited his west Morgan Hill home Oct. 28 to make some repairs.
On this clear, cool Saturday morning, the nonprofit organized the “Rebuilding Day” at 38 homes throughout the valley. Three of the homes—including Gonzalez’—were in Morgan Hill. At Gonzalez’ home, the volunteers led by Rotary Club of Morgan Hill installed a new fence and gate leading to the back yard, painted the exterior and interior, installed a new overhead light in the master bedroom and put in a new stove in the kitchen.
Even though Gonzalez is almost completely blind—due, he thinks, to years of welding in a previous career—the new light in his bedroom will allow him to watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys on a small flat-screen television.
“The people that were here were beautiful,” said Gonzalez. “Too bad I couldn’t meet every one of them. They did a fantastic job!”
Gonzalez purchased the single-story Morgan Hill home with his late wife Carmen in 1977. That was after the couple moved here with Ascencion’s parents in 1960, to “pick the easy money from the ground: prunes.”
Since then, Gonzalez has worked in a variety of labor jobs, including farming, construction, mechanics and leather crafting. For about 15 years, he sold NFL merchandise at the Capitol Flea Market under his own “Cowboy Sporting Goods” label.
For about nine years, during the 1970s and 1980s, Gonzalez volunteered for the Morgan Hill Fire Department.
Now retired, Gonzalez enjoys spending time with his great-grandkids, to whom he is trying to pass on his knowledge of leatherwork.
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley makes it a mission to help homeowners like Gonzalez, who are elderly, disabled and low on income. The nonprofit thrives on its volunteers to perform the work at various home rehabilitation projects.
Also in Morgan Hill Oct. 28, Rebuilding Together made some improvements at two homes at Hacienda Valley Mobile Estates on Burnett Avenue.
At the home of Audrey Henderson, 78, the crews installed some safety and mobility features, including hand railings and steps. They also painted and did some cleanup, according to Rebuilding Together spokeswoman Terry Gallo.
Also at Hacienda Valley, volunteers did some repairs at the home of Julie Gresham. Work there included unclogging the kitchen sink, repairing the carport door lock, installing handrails and half-steps, and some landscape maintenance.
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, which has overseen numerous rebuilding days in Morgan Hill in recent years, is preparing for a big push into South County, particularly Gilroy, in the coming months, Gallo said.
“We want to let South County know we’re available and we want them to utilize our services,” Gallo said.
She added that the Oct. 28 projects in Morgan Hill “went very smooth,” thanks largely to the Rotary Club and sponsor Mission Bell, which is based in Morgan Hill.
Homeowners in need of repairs must meet certain income requirements in order to qualify for a Rebuilding Together project, Gallo explained. All the projects are completed at no cost to the homeowner. Interested homeowners can gain more information and apply for a project by visiting rebuildingtogethersv.org, or calling (408) 578-9519.
