The pictures spoke volumes about the condition of Fernando Gonzalez’s home. A section of the roof had caved in, the floors were riddled with holes, and the bathroom was in complete decay.

Gonzalez, 80, his mentally challenged daughter and special needs granddaughter had been living that way for years, until a community of volunteers entered their lives.

Special needs nurse Marie Rodrigo of Generational Case Management Services got the ball rolling.

"We put (them) in contact with the mayor, the commissioner, the Public Guardianship Program of Dade County. Authentic Construction, Mr. Ray Castellanos, then joined us," said Rodrigo.

"I got the opportunity, so I need to, and it's a wonderful feeling and a blessing to be involved with this," said Castellanos.

Castellanos donated his time as a general contractor to oversee the entire home renovation. He brought others on board, including a roofer, electrician, plumber, and window installer. Castellanos also called the Local Ten Care Force in for reinforcement.

Care Force reporter Mayte Padron first shared the story with viewers in July. At the time, the home needed landscaping work, painting and some finishing touches on the inside. Care Force called The Home Depot for help.

More than two dozen employees volunteered an entire day to take care of all the pending items. They even installed more than 4,000 square feet of sod.

"The employees are not scheduled to be here. This is on a voluntary basis," said Home Depot store manager Jose Gutierrez. "It's our core values just to give back to the community to get the end result that we see today here."

For Gonzalez and his family, who'd been staying in a tiny motel room for the past seven months, the results were well worth the wait. They walked into their beautifully restored, four- bedroom, one-bath home with smiles and tears in their eyes.

"He feels as if he (were) born again, and thanks to everybody who has worked here in the home," said Castellanos who interpreted for Gonzalez.

At the end of the day, a prayer was said to thank all the volunteers who came together to rebuild this home, not with muscle and might, but with generosity and compassion.

"I hope they do see this as the first day (of) the rest of their lives," said Castellanos.

The following south Florida companies donated labor and/or materials for the home renovation:

Artwood

Campos Metal Framing

Community Action Agency

Everglades Lumber

FB Carpentry

Fisk Electric

FPG

GMR

Hanson

Home Depot

Jorge Azze, Architect

Junk Be Gone

MB Finish Carpentry

M & M Fence

Monterrey Plumbing

Oceans Across

Permits Direct

PGT

Plumber's Union

Richwood Landscaping

Rigo General Welding

Royal Plastering

Taylor Roofing

United Ironworks

Unity Windows

Waste Management

World Wide Pools