Owen Kellogg, Allie Kellogg, Richard Kellogg, Brandie Kellogg, and Bella Kellogg, as they cut the ribbon on their new home. (Zachary Meseck photo)

SHERBURNE – After years of sitting dilapidated and abandoned, a newly rebuilt home in Sherburne is now being occupied by a local family after months of work from a local non-profit organization.

The Impact Project is a local non-profit that assists low-income, elderly, or handicapped homeowners whose homes are in need of major repairs or handicapped accessibility––and does so at no cost to the homeowner by partnering with local churches, other non-profits, donations, and volunteers.

On Saturday, Impact Project Founder Jim Willard II held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the house the group rebuilt and recently sold on 504 Bryant Road in Sherburne, and announced what may be a new trend for the organization, the importance of not just fixing rooftops or building handicap accessible ramps, but rebuilding entire homes in local communities.

According to Village of Sherburne Mayor William Acee, having a previously unlivable home rebuilt can make a big impact on local municipalities.

"There's an extreme need in Chenango County for rehabilitated housing, and the Impact Project does it very well," said Acee. "It's a double whammy, it's important because you've got volunteers who are doing a great service, and then you've got a local community that is benefiting from it immensely."