Phoenix cop, volunteers complete remodel of woman's ruined home

PHOENIX -- A west Phoenix woman is a shopping spree away from getting her life back on track after help from her local community and the Phoenix Police Department.

Last August, Linda Tims was in the midst of serious hardship as she had lost her husband and parents, had medical issues and had her home near 43rd Avenue and Thomas burglarized on multiple occasions. All of which, had left her home in a state of disarray.

Having her home burglarized may have been a blessing in disguise though, as that is how she met Phoenix Police Officer Glenn Branham, who after responding to a burglary call at her residence, decided to try and help Tims.

"When you see someone in need and after being and officer as long as I have, you can see if someone is true and who needs extra help," Branham said.

Branham, who worked in construction before becoming a police officer, said he used his connections to help gather volunteers and donations to completely remodel Tims' house.

"There was a lot of trash, a lot of debris, she had been storing up stuff for her family, so literally we had to get dumpsters here (and) we went through two 40-yard dumpsters filled with trash," Branham said.

Branham said he and volunteers redid all the drywall inside the home, repainted the walls, remodeled the kitchen with new cabinets, added tile and even did some landscaping.

On Nov. 10, after more than two months of working on the home, Branham, members of the Phoenix Police Department, donors and some of the volunteers cut the ribbon on the home for Tims, who got her first look inside.

"(It's) totally awesome," Tims said. "Now I just have to get some furniture."

Tims said she is very happy to be moving back into her home and spent Friday using $1,500 in gift cards to American Furniture, plus an additional $2,500 in cash donation to buy the furniture she needs.

Original post:
Phoenix cop, volunteers complete remodel of woman's ruined home