HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — A home in Henrico County's Varina District is getting major repairs from Dominion Energy and a network of community partners — all for a man who spent decades giving back to the area.
Carlos Lewis coached recreation football, basketball and high school basketball in the Varina area for 31 years before stepping away to become a full-time caregiver for his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease.
"With her having Alzheimer's, she may go through seizures and things like that, so I'm up all night to take care of her to make sure she's good," Lewis said. "
With his attention focused on his mother's care, home repairs fell by the wayside. A call to Henrico County for help eventually connected Lewis with Dominion Energy's Energy Share program.
"I've been calling Henrico County for assistance and I've been very persistent and I just happen to call one day and they had a program ready for me," Lewis said. " This was one of her last wishes before she got sick, for the house to get redone and be renovated."
Dominion's Energy Share has been going on for more than 40 years
Nikki Taylor, manager of the program, said it provides bill payment assistance for those who need help with energy costs and, in special circumstances, can cover the cost of major weatherization improvements for those facing financial hardships.
"We replaced the HVAC system, did upgrades to the duct work, replaced all of the insulation in the attic and the floors, and did other repairs that'll make the energy costs go down," Taylor said. "He's going to be able to take the focus that he has and the time that he has and be able to put that into his mother and his family."
On average, Taylor says homeowners who qualify for the program could save as much as 30% on their energy bill once necessary repairs have been made, but the exact saving will vary from home to home and energy usage.
"So first and foremost we always tell people that as soon as you start feeling pressure on your energy costs, please reach out to at least start the conversation. Nikki said. "The easiest way to get in contact with us is calling 2-1-1. They're actually going to take your information and refer you to the appropriate local Energy Share partner who is going to get you on the right path to getting the assistance that you need.
Partnerships with DNH Construction and Virginia State University allowed for additional improvements to the home, like the rock garden which volunteers like Fallen said would help with with drainage around the home and protect the internal improvements.
Eric Fallen, a Dominion Design Coordinator and former Henrico athlete, said the project was personal.
"I really wanted to join this project because this family has done so much in this community for years, all my life really," Fallen said.
Fallen said Lewis's impact on the Varina community runs deep.
"Carlos, who also lives here, he has been coaching in the Varina area for about 31 years just giving back to the community," Fallen said. "There aren't many athletes that have come out of Varina that haven't been touched by Carlos."
Thosgh the last of the major repair area couple a of weeks from completion, Lewis, the renovations made so far have already made a noticeable difference in his energy bill
"For the last couple of years, we didn't have air conditioning and heat. This is just making everything more comfortable and livable and it's taken a big burden off of me," Lewis said. "I definitely feel loved by the community and Henrico, so it really means a lot."
More information on Dominion Energy's Energy Share program is available here.
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