Services: Wishmaker's

CLEVELAND (October 7, 2009) – Shaker Heights residents Roschelle and Chimezie Ogbuji, are like any parents; their world revolved around their children. But in December 2007, their world took a horrific turn when a fire destroyed their home and took the lives of their three daughters ages 5, 2 and 1.

Despite the tragedy, the Ogbujis were determined to once again live in the place where they raised their children. 

“This was our home; we have great memories here with our three girls,” Roschelle Ogbuji said. “One day, we’ll live there again.”

In addition to the emotional toll the loss of their children took on the family, the last 22 months has been a financial struggle as well.  The couple has nearly depleted all of their savings, paying monthly for a mortgage on an uninhabitable home, as well as rent for temporary housing. 

Despite the house being a complete loss, the insurance company only agreed to pay for 40 percent of the value of the home, leaving the family to foot the majority of the renovation bill.

A friend contacted the Angie’s List Wishmakers program on behalf of the family.  The program works to bring highly rated service professionals together to help those in need. 

“The Ogbujis suffered more than anyone should, and I think any parent would understand how much they want to stay in a home where so much love was shared,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com). 

Through Wishmakers, several Cleveland area companies teamed up to donate $8,100 in labor and materials for a new roof and air duct cleaning for the Ogbuji home.

“Along with our philosophy of impeccable workmanship and customer service, we strongly believe in "paying it forward" and supporting our community”, said Chris Kamis, President of Absolute Roofing (www.absoluteroofinginc.com). 

The three area companies who provided services include:

After more than a year and a half, the family is now back in to their home! 

Since 2004, the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on local service companies has partnered with its highly rated service providers to grant wishes across the country.  Nominations are accepted via email: WishmakersRequests@angieslist.com.

Previous Wishmakers projects in 2008 and 2009 include:

• Repairing window screens and providing extermination services for a Wauconda, IL family whose son has leukemia.
• Helping a Chicago family move into a new house when their home was foreclosed after the death of their 11-year old daughter.
• Painting the home of a Carmel, Ind. family who faced financially difficulties due to medical ailments and the loss of a job.
• Building a room addition on to the home of an Indianapolis family whose little boy has the “Bubble Boy” disease and has to live in sterile isolation.
• Repairing the car of a disabled Navy veteran in Deland, Florida to help him get back up on his feet after a long, up-hill medical battle.

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Angie’s List is where consumers share ratings and reviews on local contractors, doctors and other professionals covering more than 425 different categories of service. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to find the right contractor or company for the jobs they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at http://www.angiehicksblog.com.