Watch the Video From a Habitat for Humanity Home Repair in Peabody

PEABODY, MA – Last month, Habitat for Humanity North Shore and Beverly firm Coastal Windows & Exteriors came together to repair the home of a Peabody resident on disability.

Charlene Cruz, a lung cancer survivor, needed critical work done on her home at 5 Sanborn St. The roof of the house had curling shingles, algae growth and was structurally unsound, the windows were old and it was no longer safe to walk on the rotting deck.

The team at Coastal Windows & Exteriors provided Cruz with more than $20,000 in improvements, including a new roof with a 25-year labor workmanship warranty, a lifetime warranty on shingles and brand new windows.

“Without their help, I could not have stayed in my home,” Cruz said about Coastal Windows & Exteriors. “I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done. It’s a miracle!”

Don Preston, president of Habitat for Humanity North Shore, said the project was the perfect blend of the public, private and non-profit sectors.

"This project will be one of the most ambitious that we’ve undertaken in Peabody this year," Preston noted in a release ahead of the build. "Thanks to Coastal Windows & Exteriors’ generosity with the roof replacement, we are able to leverage funds from the City of Peabody Community Preservation Act toward updating the windows, which also need replacement, and fixing the front porch."

Second graders from nearby Welch Elementary School also got in on the fun, attending the build and learning the importance of community service. As a reward for their visit, they left with new backpacks provided by Coastal Windows & Exteriors and apples donated by Brooksby Farm.

"This was our fourth Habitat for Humanity project here on the North Shore, and it was incredibly gratifying for all of us at Coastal Windows & Exteriors to help Charlene," said Coastal Windows & Exteriors owner Stephanie Vanderbilt. "As part of this community, we are dedicated to helping make sure that all of our neighbors live in safe and secure homes."

Check out video from the build here:

Check out scenes from the build below (all photos courtesy of Jordan Garry):