MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been nearly one month since Local 10 launched “Good News South Florida,” a weekly series designed to spotlight the personal and powerful stories of people in our communities.
We kicked off the series with the story of Edward Knox, a former school teacher and pillar of his community whose home of 46 years had fallen into disrepair.
But thanks to his fervent faith and the generosity of Local 10 viewers, Knox is a lot closer to seeing his home restored.
“He doesn’t complain about anything. He doesn’t ask for anything,” Robert McKay said.
McKay is a longtime family friend of 75-year-old Knox, who he said is known for his service-over-self attitude.
“Whatever I can do, I feel great. But, it’s not about how I feel. It’s the look on the kids’ face(s),” Knox said.
Knox hosted events to benefit the kids of his Richmond Heights neighborhood, all while he suffered in silence over the condition of his home.
“Good News South Florida” shared his story, and people like Betania Vergel, who’s running point on the permitting process, offered to help.
In fact, nearly one dozen contractors from various trades have stepped up so far.
Jaime Naranjo, of Allied Hurricane Solutions, is donating the impact windows for the home and is taking the lead as the general contractor.
“It’s a big deal to him. It’s not a big deal to me in the sense, because to me, it’s a no brainer. You can’t say no,” Naranjo said.
Hector Rodriguez, of Level Up Roofing, will be installing the new roof.
“The hardest part is getting that roof off and putting the new trusses. After that, it’s pretty fast,” Rodriguez explained.
“I saw his face and I said, ‘This man needs help,’” Sarah KC Holmes, of Bedrock Renovations, added.
Holmes and her husband, Max, are experts in everything from framing and drywall to floor tiles and complete bathroom overhauls.
“What we want to do is make sure that he has a home that is safe for him, and functional for him to live out the rest of his life,” Holmes said.
Christian Pena wants the same thing. He’s providing all of the electrical engineering.
“I think when the community and we as humans come together in unity, everything is possible,” he said.
And it was Joe Puentes who first signed on to the vision. His nonprofit, Wikivoice, is managing all of the volunteers.
“What are we going to do with our blessings if not help others,” he said.
A grateful Knox hugged and shook hands with everyone who came out to help, but it was when the volunteers took his hands to pray that Knox realized God’s will for his home and his life had been done on Earth as it is in heaven.
“Angels out of nowhere coming to me. Can’t help but feel good after that,” he said.
Now the volunteers are waiting on the final permits to be approved to start the work. The first item on the list will be demolishing the old roof and removing the debris. We are looking for a company to volunteer those services. If you’d like to help, email goodnews@local10.com. If you’d like to make a monetary donation, click here.
- To donate: If you’d like to make a monetary donation toward any Good News South Florida story or project, click here. Local 10 has established the Local 10 Fund with The Miami Foundation and 100% of your donation will go toward the cause you designate in the “additional information” box.
- To volunteer or submit a story idea: If you’d like to volunteer for a Good News South Florida project or would like to submit a story for consideration, email goodnews@local10.com.
Good News South Florida airs Fridays on the Local 10 morning news at 10 a.m. It will encore Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings, beginning at 6 a.m.
