Local businesses step up to help Oklahoma City woman

Natalie Clydesdale/KFOR
·2 min read

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Alvah Boyd is breathing much easier lately.

“Let me say, God is good,” said Boyd. “I am very happy today.”

Alvah Boyd.
Alvah Boyd.

It’s a drastic change from November when KFOR reported how health complications and other life circumstances stopped Ms. Boyd from making much needed repairs on her Northeast OKC home for years.

The problems piled up to the point where city inspectors declared the home dilapidated. The City of OKC planned to demolish it.

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“I wasn’t happy, but I understood the city and what they were having to do,” said Boyd.

Ms. Boyd hasn’t been able to live in the home she loves for six years. It’s been a devastating blow for a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others in situations just like this.

“I worked for nonprofits all my life,” said Boyd.

She served on OKC’s Housing Authority Board and directed the Northeast Homeownership Consortium.

“Now I can understand what community residents said to me, ‘Ms. Boyd, it’s not as simple as you think it is,’” said Boyd.

Ms. Boyd’s luck seems to be turning though.

“Our boss saw the news article on it and decided that maybe he would try to reach out and see what we could do to help,” said Colton Watters of Blackstar Electrical Services.

The company ripped out and replaced the old electrical panel and rewired the entire house.

Herman’s Plumbing also stepped up.

“We felt like it was a calling. Just felt like it was something that had to be done,” said Jody Enright of Herman’s Plumbing.

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When they started all of the home’s plumbing was inoperable, but now…

“Everything is brand new in this house. She won’t have to worry about anything,” said Enright.

However, the job’s not finished.

“Our final push would be drywall,” said Josh Dodson, with Restore OKC. “So, we need material and labor for that. We need carpenters for cabinets, trim, doors and then flooring.”

Anyone who’d like to help can contact Restore OKC directly. The number is (405) 254-0922.

“Help when you can help,” said Boyd. “You never know. It might come back to help you in the end.”

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