In May of 2024, the City’s second Elevate Lebanon project was completed along Cox Street. This collaborative effort between Habitat for Humanity of Boone County and the City of Lebanon continues to increase the quality of life for city residents.

“It’s a miracle, it really was,” said Lebanon resident Opal Harris. “For the little bit that I thought I was going to get, I got everything. Everything was replaced, gutters, doors…everything. My goodness, I went from the bottom clear to the top almost. It’s just fantastic.”

“I couldn’t afford to do the things that needed to be done, with my income,” added Harris. “All of a sudden, it’s all done and it cost me very, very little. Thirty dollars for all the work that got done. I just can’t say anything better.”

Among the items replaced was a piece of artwork given to Harris by her late husband. The artwork was placed above the garage door, but after being outside in the elements for two decades, it had faded substantially.

“That was a gift he gave me probably twenty years ago,” added Harris. “It was just something that he thought I would like and he brought it home, and I had him put it up over the garage.”

The Elevate Lebanon crew reached out to area artist Anita Gordon to renew the artwork. The Elevate Lebanon team then surprised Opal with finished product.

“We asked if we could take that artwork and maybe elevate and repair that sign as well, so our last project for you is to present that sign back to you,” said City of Lebanon Planning Director Ben Bontrager. “We had one of our wonderful friends in the community, who is an artist, take some creative licensing to do what she could. So we gave her that sign, and she gave it back to us to give to you.”

“Oh my gosh,” said Harris. “Oh that’s beautiful. The colors are fantastic.”

“Hopefully we revived that sign in the memory of your husband,” added Bontrager. “It’s the sign he gave you, and we would like to put it back on your garage. ‘Peace, Love, and Joy to All Who Enter Here.’”

“Okay, thank you,” Harris answered tearfully.

“It’s joyful for all of us to see that happen,” said Habitat for Humanity of Boone County Volunteer Steve Nobis. “We spent a couple of days here and we make some small changes to the exterior of her home, and it lights her up and it lights us up. We think we are giving something to her, but actually in return, us as volunteers we are getting just as much, if not more joy out of what happened.”

“That’s really the hope. Even though we are marketing this program, really the hope is that the people we are helping are expressing their gratitude and what happened to their lives to other people around them, and really spreading the word to the other folks who may need help, then we can get connected as well,” added Bontrager.

“It would have never gotten done,” said Harris. “Truthfully, it would have never gotten done. I would have just lived this way. There was just no way I could have afforded it.”

To learn more about the Elevate Lebanon effort, visit https://lebanon.in.gov/elevatelebanon/