MILWAUKEE — Linda Muckerheide had been waiting months for a pile of downed trees and branches to be removed from her yard — left behind after a contractor for We Energies performed storm restoration work. Within 24 hours of her story airing, a local handyman saw the report and showed up to help.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 80-year-old Milwaukee woman seeks help after debris left in yard for months
Deven, of Hart Family Handyman Services, volunteered his time to pile, pull, cut, and remove all of the debris from Muckerheide's yard at no charge.
The contractor's focus during the fall storm restoration had been getting power restored to customers in the area, leaving the homeowner responsible for the cleanup. But at her age, Muckerheide did not have the means to haul the piles away. After hitting dead ends, she reached out to TMJ4.
We Energies told TMJ4 they were planning to work on the removal, but Deven stepped in sooner.
"I just figured I got time today, might as well come out and give a hand," Deven said.
Muckerheide was ecstatic watching the mess slowly disappear.
"He worked so hard, and it was so nice of him to come out and do it for me," Muckerheide said.
Watch: Milwaukee woman's debris pile gone after local handyman sees TMJ4 story
When I asked if it was nice to see the pile gone, she didn't hesitate.
"Very, very, very nice. I'm very happy," Muckerheide said.
Deven said he hopes his actions inspire others to do the same.
"It brings hope to me that if I can do it, then other people might start going out and giving a neighbor a hand, or a family member a hand," Deven said.
"Today was just one of those days I could come out and help out and get it done for her," Deven said.
With the debris now cleared, Muckerheide can look forward to getting her backyard back to normal this spring.
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