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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 11, 2009 · 24 PHOTOS BY KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER EXPRESSING A THOUGHT: From left, Josh Borges sizes up his newly decorated space that's all teen male; long-time Oakville resident Naomi Borges is brought to tears when she first glimpses the renovation Oakville-based Walls of Hope run by resident Sera Mansueto (centre right) accomplished at her home over the course of a couple days and, Becky Borges and her grandma, Maria, don't know quite what to make of the extraordinary and impressive change in decor as they enter after spending the weekend away. The Regional Municipality www.halton.ca of Halton Giving a family hope By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Did you know? Tetra Pak containers are recycled in Halton Region's Blue Box! = Tetra Pak containers are taken to paper mills where the cardboard is separated from the plastic and aluminum in a pulper ­ which is like a big blender! Paper fibres from Tetra Pak cartons are used to make products like household tissue and boxes. Most often, the plastic and the aluminum is combined together to make things like sand pails. Remember, Tetra Pak wine containers can be taken back to The Beer Store for a deposit. Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs. PW-08062 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 Tel: 905-825-6000 · Toll Free: 1-866-4HALTON · TTY: 905-827-9833 Naomi Borges had no words, but she did shed tears, as her renovated home was revealed to her, her mom and her two kids late Sunday. She was speechless. Naomi, who fled an abusive relationship years ago and has struggled, deeply, to support her family -- her mom who has an inoperable brain tumour and her two teenaged children, Becky and Josh -- ever since, is not one to ever be without an ability -- or drive, when all else fails -- to deal with a situation. She built her own kitchen from junk day finds and ingenuity. Her family pool is the result of the same. But the kindness of the volunteers and donors who handed over equipment, goods, furniture, expertise and most of all time, left her in tears as the Oakville-based charity Walls of Hope, run by Sera Mansueto, moved in last weekend to make over Naomi's home. "To come home and see the incredible transformation that took place in a couple of days is just surreal," said Naomi. The bedrooms of Naomi and her children were renovated. The kitchen was also redone as was Naomi's basement-level family room. The renovation began Friday, Dec. 4 when the Walls of Hope crew, all local volunteers, moved in with donations from local businesses. Naomi and her family were treated to a weekend at a hotel while the work was done and then it was revealed to them late Sunday. "So many wonderful things happened to us during the weekend. We had never stayed at a hotel together, so that was a treat. To see my kids and my mom truly enjoying themselves, was an incredible gift," said Naomi. All those involved had recognized Naomi's struggle. Their gift, just days ahead of Christmas, was a salute to her long years of sacrifice, drive, determination, courage and love of her family. "When walking through each room you can see and feel the energy, the hard work, the talent, but most of all the love. We feel at peace when we walk through our home," said Naomi. If they weren't amazed by the treats provided on their weekend away, what they found upon returning home, amazed them. "I can't believe all that was done. To see the enormity of the project was absolutely breathtaking," said Naomi. Her children, too, were impressed. "Initially, having two teens, I wasn't sure how the attention would affect them, but so far they have done great. Both the kids are overjoyed with their new rooms, which suit their personalities perfectly," said their mom. "It was amazing. It was a project that had such an incredible spirit. The kids are still pinching themselves," said Mansueto. If all that weren't enough, there was another treat just for Naomi upon the family's return. "I am a huge Elvis fan and Sera knew all about that. So one of the beautiful ladies called in a favor to her cousin and next thing you know, he's in the family room singing Blue Hawaii," laughed Naomi. "We feel very blessed and overwhelmed. We've met the kindest most generous group of people, who gave up so much of themselves to do this incredible work for us. We will forever be grateful," said Naomi. See Kind page 26