Efforts to renovate a family's home faced a big setback- until the community stepped up to help

The group Rescuing Families had begun renovating the family's home in January - until $25,000 worth of their equipment was stolen. But the story didn't end there.

News 12 Staff

Aug 3, 2021, 10:03 PM

Updated 1,212 days ago

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A family in Hempstead moved into a newly renovated home Tuesday, despite an unpredictable start.
Claire Helfenbein is in a wheelchair and has two children - a son with autism and a daughter. 
Rescuing Families started renovating the Helfenbeins' home in January. But five months into renovations, the group had $25,000 worth of equipment stolen in June.
Rescuing Families representative Gina Centauro says it was devastating because they were hoping to get the family in their home at the beginning of July.
"It just really put a damper on everything. We didn't know if we’re going to be able to continue,” Centauro.
The group received donations and tools from community members and Lowe's following News 12’s coverage on the setback in June.
Vincent Centauro, of Rescuing Families, says he was shocked by the support.
"The community coming together really was an outpouring of support to make sure we continue on our mission. And to get this family back home, we've never seen anything like that before,” says Centauro.
Following months of renovations, the Helfenbein family moved into their handicapped-accessible home.
"I feel like I just won the lottery. I came home to a brand-new house,” says Helfenbein.
Everything in the home is handicapped-accessible. They even made sure Helfenbein’s son had everything he needed in his room.
The Hempstead woman says she’s thankful for everyone who donated tools and for the volunteers who worked on the home. She tells News 12 she’s finally able to have the home of her dreams.
"I am so truly blessed, I am so happy - I don't even know what to say,” says Helfenbein.