Block Build MKE returns for another year of home improvement for neighbors

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Hundreds of volunteers woke up early Saturday to give their time to a worthy cause.

Block Build MKE is an annual project of Revitalize Milwaukee. The project focused on the Muskego Way neighborhood. The goal is to complete vital home improvement projects for 18 homes in the neighborhood.

Lynnea Katz-Petted is the CEO of Revitalize Milwaukee.

"We've been working at this for months. I have to say that we're experts at this point after 23 years," she said.

Katz-Petted says the response from families over the years has been amazing.

 "At first they're terrified, if you think about people coming into your home and say we're going to rip out your kitchen and put in a new one in one day, it's hard to believe but at the end of the day, they're often times in tears and unable to really absorb everything that's happening," she said.

Volunteers are split into groups and follow the direction of an experienced team leader.

Each home will have different construction needs but all the work will be completed in one day.

The homeowners will receive all work done for free and the upgrades are valued at more than $500,000.

The projects will include everything from porch rebuilds, painting, bathroom and kitchen remodels and more.