BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA –

When owners of the Botetourt Golf & Swim Club went to buy Christmas gifts for needy children last week, they were also fulfilling one 7-year-year-old boy’s wish that could not be found in the toy aisle. “One of the things they wanted on the list was a warm and dry house,” said Tater Benson, co-owner of Botetourt Golf & Swim Club.

Benson says when he went to the house it was obvious the family needed a new roof for Christmas.

“I done tried everything else to get help to do it,” said homeowner Elizabeth Alls. “I said I can’t be doing all that I need to get it done as soon as I can. So, I got lucky.”  Get it done so she and her family wouldn’t have to live in the cold as it seeped in, along with the rain that often poured in waking her when she fell asleep on the couch.

“My little boy is tickled to death,” she said. “I told him we’re getting the roof fixed and he said, oh really mommy? I said yeah.” 

From the roof to a stone walkway, Botetourt County landscapers and roofers donated supplies and their time to make this Christmas wish come true. The work is almost done but already it’s made a difference for Elizabeth and the people who who’ve been able to help.

“There are a lot of churches in this area that go to foreign countries to provide assistance and there are people right here in our backyard that need help and I think those people need to be higher up on the list,” Benson.

It’s help that couldn’t come soon enough for this family. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody.”