Paul Davis sets out to restore America.

• Author: Grundle, Joe

Byline: Joe Grundle

Comerino and Maria Ramirez found just the right answer to their significant home repair needs.

A free one.

The Milwaukee residents will receive free interior and exterior repairs to their home this Saturday, as Paul Davis Restoration of Southeast Wisconsin takes part in the 2006 Paul Davis Restoring America program.

"The Ramirez family is a hard-working family, however, they are in financial need and trying to better the lives of their four young children," said Kailyn Smith, project coordinator for Paul Davis Restoration.

In its sixth year, Paul Davis Restoring America is a home-improvement initiative designed to provide labor and materials to local beneficiaries who cannot afford or are physically unable to fix their homes.

The Ramirezes were selected by Paul Davis Restoration of Southeast Wisconsin due to their limited economic circumstances and proximity to the Milwaukee office.

"We concentrated on that family because they live close to our office, and we wanted to keep the locality," said Smith. "Last year, we chose to help a family that was in a similar capacity - living in Milwaukee with young children."

Interior and exterior work

Exterior repairs to be made to the Ramirez' home at 1325 S. 12th St. include pressure-washing the brick and paint, weeding and minor landscaping, installing stone and gravel, repairing and replacing damaged storm windows and screens, and painting steps and lattice work, as well as the general cleanup of the yard, new gutters and downspouts, and a new back door.

Interior repairs include removing wallpaper in the kitchen and pantry, painting and in-stalling new floors in the kitchen, living room and dining room, painting in the front porch area, and minor electrical work.

Overall, the safety and livability of the home will be substantially improved.

"We know it is a considerable amount of work to do in one day," Smith said. "However, with the strong collaborative efforts of Restoring America partners and volunteers, we believe we can do it. The...