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Volunteers help spruce up homes for low-income seniors in Brighton

Program gives helps seniors stay in their homes
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BRIGHTON, Colo. -- On a sunny Saturday, a team of volunteers got to work on Lucy Bonacquisti's home. They began with a fresh coat of paint but got carried away and started mowing the lawn.

"Sometimes we just let the spirit, you know, move people and all of a sudden we’re doing yard work, mowing lawns; we tried to stay with just the painting but we just can’t," said Mike Southwick with Brighton United Methodist Church.

Over the weekend, volunteers with Help for Homes will assist seniors with repairs and yard work. Bonacquisti's home is just one of 15 that will be worked on.

"I’m so thrilled about it that I’m ready to cry tears of joy so it’s wonderful. And if everybody in this world would do the same thing and help each other, it would be a wonderful world," said Bonacquisti.

The program started when a city council person wanted to give back to seniors in the community, it's now in its 13th year. The city of Brighton teamed up with Brothers Redevelopment to coordinate the volunteers and select qualified homeowners. The focus is on helping low-income seniors who wouldn't be able to afford to do the repairs.

"Every study that’s out there shows that senior citizens who are able to stay in their own homes are happier and healthier and have less incidences of depression," said Jason Stutzman with Brothers Redevelopment.