Elect Ron Kind for Congress - Wisconsin Third Congressional District

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Community members and a few politicians help remodel Bolton Refuge House

by Chris Baylor - WEAU

A remolding project is underway to help get a new building ready for victims of domestic abuse. Some familiar faces were at the Bolton Refuge House Saturday to lend a hand in the work.

Hammers, brushes and lots of elbow grease filled the Bolton Refuge House's new building Saturday morning.

Labor came from community members and few familiar faces, Congressman Ron Kind and State Representative Kristen Dexter were on hand to help give back to the community.

"We're rehabilitating and renovating the Bolton Refuge House to make sure it's ready for families who need it," says Kind.

Mixed in with the hammers and lumber, were a lot of hands trying to get this building remolded because the current building is overcrowded.

"From a reality stand point the shelter is busting at the seams the needs are there people are reaching out for help. We want to be able to be responsive so were going to move as fast we can," says the Director of Bolton Refuge House Gerry Wilkie.

Wilkie says all the help is greatly appreciated especially the help from people like Kind and Dexter.

"We like it from the stand point that they're getting down in the trenches finding out what's really happening in the community and being involved in making a difference," says Wilkie.

Kristen Dexter says she has been a long time supporter of the shelter and says it's something more people could get involved with.

"When I found out this space was going to be renovated I was thrilled, I know Gerry and the group have done a lot of work advocating and the community has rallied behind the cause as well," says Dexter.

Wilkie says they've got a dead line in-mind and he's not kidding around.

"Our goal, which is extraordinarily aggressive but we need this space so badly, is April Fools Day and it’s no joke we got to try and accomplish that," says Wilkie.

The Bolton Refuge House says it's always looking for more people to help and they're planning to have more weekends like this one to get the building ready for use. If you would like to get a group together to help out you can give them a call at 834-0628.