Brain cancer survivor gives to Oprah's Big Give
3:59 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"Yeah this is definitely unsafe," says electrician Carl Dillenbeck as he checks out the wiring in Raymond Beard's basement.
He heard about how Oprah's Big Give is helping Raymond fix up his home and wanted to help out. Back in 1999, Carl was diagnosed with brain cancer and given six months to live.
"I was a policeman because I wanted to help the community in the first place and people came back and helped me in return and I want to do the same," he remembers.
Because of his illness, Carl was forced to give up his job as a police officer. He put his focus on being an electrician. Nine years later and cancer free, he has found a way to give back. And he has his work cut out for him. The exposed wiring and ungrounded electricity are a serious fire hazard.
"This is like major surgery," Carl said. "Probably going to have to rip the walls out, new wiring run to the attic, drop down some new loops."
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Oprah's Big Give: Topeka-Raymond Beard
What goes around, comes around. Central Park neighborhood resident Raymond Beard has always had a helping hand for his neighbors. Now, he's getting some help from Oprah's Big Give and his neighbors to fix up his house.
Raymond says the electricity hasn't been updated since he bought the place 27 years ago. He has to be careful not get shocked.
"You get a tingle when you pull that chain," points out Beard.
Faulty wiring is just one of the issues with this old house. Volunteer Coordinator Darrel Eklund says there is much more work to be done.
"We hope to get a new roof, new gutters...He really needs a kitchen stove, a washer, a dryer," says Eklund.
Raymond is excited.
"I am glad to see them and glad to see them get started," he said. "I've been waiting for a long time. They seem enthusiastic about their job and their duty."
And Carl is eager to get going. He says he feels lucky to be alive and is happy to find a new way to make the community safe.
"And now that I'm here I can pay back so many more people that way and it's a great feeling," Carl said.
Carl hopes to start work on Raymond Beard's house on Thursday. He says the work could take at least a week.
Oprah's Big Give - Topeka
Would you like to help? Sign up for Oprah's Big Give: Topeka here.
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