KTKA

Cutting and piecing together new flooring for a kitchen was the start of something new for one person.

Lynn Margien was chosen to have her house fixed up by rebuilding together.

"Here I am getting my house fixed by all these wonderful people," Margien.

The people fixing her home volunteers from the 190th Civil Engineering Squadron from the Kansas National Guard.

Floors and walls were just a couple of repairs that needed to be done.

"I'm astonished because getting ready for this day I asked everybody I knew to come help me carry stuff to the basement so it would be ready. Nobody helped," said Margien.

But now she has many hands working together to help.

Ripping out Lynn's linoleum floor is just one of the many projects that rebuilding together has done today.

Lynn says she couldn't do it alone.

"I can go down into my basement and hang on to a hand rail now it will be safe for me," said Margien.

One stroke at a time her house was transforming.

Vern Failor, President of Rebuilding Together Topeka says its important to get into the community and help.

"The purpose is to keep them in their home for a longer period of time, and safe and warm, and dry," said Failor.

Lynn says she can focus on things other than her house.

"Now I'm gonna have time to do things that I really want to do, like getting into some painting and artwork," said Margien.

After hours of working everyone gathered around for lunch, but soon got back to work.

And Lynn is now grateful.

"I don't worry about avoiding the hazards in my house, they're gonna be gone," said Margien.

This is the 9th year for the project.

Rebuilding Together has fixed up 140 houses in Topeka, totaling over 400 thousand dollars in repairs.