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Betty Lamy, 71, has several medical issues leaving her bed ridden and wheelchair bound. Her husband and partner of more than 50 years, Charles, is her full-time caregiver. Charles had to carry his wife to the car in order to get her to and from doctor’s appointments.

On April 8, volunteers sponsored by Builders Care, the charitable agency of the Lee Building Industry Association, constructed a wheelchair ramp for the Lamy couple.

Harbor Springs Building Company provided all of the labor to make this happen. The 16 foot ramp, complete with handrails and landing, was built in six hours.

“I am always so grateful to be a part of this organization,” said Tom Killingsworth, president of Harbor Springs Building Company and new board member for Builders Care. “We are helping homeowners that are in dire straights. Whenever given the chance, I try to pay it forward.”

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builder’s Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Most recent top corporate sponsors include Armadillo Underground and Real Estate Investment Society. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers FL 33916. Donations can be made online at http://www.leebuilderscare.org/, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T (formerly Colonial Bank) Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.

The Lee Building Industry Association (BIA) is hosting an afternoon of BBQ, Bands and Brew to benefit its nonprofit charitable arm Builders Care on Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Lee County Alliance for the Arts. The fundraiser is open to the public and will feature food from eight local barbeque-themed restaurants and caterers, live music by local bands Deb & The Dynamics and The Juice, and games and attractions for all ages. Local celebrity judges and attendees will vote for the best BBQ in town.

“We look forward to hosting this fun family event for a great cause,” says Bob Bassett, Builder’s Care president. “All the proceeds will fund projects that improve people’s lives right here in our community.”

Admission for BBQ, Bands and Brew is $10 per person. Children ages 12 and under are free, and free parking is available. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, but no coolers, dogs or beach umbrellas will be allowed. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Lee County Alliance for the Arts at 10091 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers; Stevens Construction at 6208 Whisky Creek Drive, Fort Myers; the Fiddlesticks branch of BB&T Bank at 9090 Daniels Pkwy., Fort Myers; and the Pagefield branch of BB&T Bank, 4959 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Reservations may be made by calling 239-938-0056 or e-mail bbq@bia.net. Additional information is available at www.bbqbandsandbrew.com.

Top sponsors include Stevens Construction, Cape Coral Plumbing, Teco Partners, Budweiser, WINK News, Florida Weekly, Cat Country 107.1, 95.3 OLZ and Priority Marketing. Event sponsors include Bolaños Truxton PA, Gora McGahey Architects, Harbor Springs Building Company, Land Solutions Inc., Lee County Electric Cooperative, Debonair Mechanical Inc., Costco Wholesale, Pepsi, T&M Portable Restrooms, Signs Now, Exploritech Inc. and Jamestown Painting.

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Most recent top corporate sponsors include Real Estate Investment Society and BB&T. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100 in Fort Myers. Donations can be made online at http://www.leebuilderscare.org/, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T (formerly Colonial Bank) Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.