From Overgrowth to Renewal: Linda’s Project in West Olympia

When volunteers from Rebuilding Together Thurston County (RTTC) first met Linda, her home was impossible to reach. Nearly 80 years old and recovering from a brain aneurysm, Linda could not keep up with the blackberry vines that had swallowed her property and began climbing over her roof. For 26 years she has lived in her house, but in recent years mobility challenges, memory issues, and limited income left her without the means to care for it. Hiring help was out of the question.

A Home in the Shadows

Linda’s home sits along a shared driveway. By the time RTTC arrived, the blackberries had grown so thick that neighbors assumed the property was abandoned. Linda’s daughter drives in from Elma twice a week to help with her mother's personal care needs, but it was clear more support was needed around the home. With USDA grant funding secured for a future roof replacement, RTTC first had to battle back the overgrowth.

First Responders in Action

The first wave came from PCI Pest Control, a team RTTC calls its “first responders.” These professionals are no strangers to tough environments, and in just a few hours they filled an entire dumpster with blackberry vines. They willingly take on the hardest, dirtiest jobs — rolling up their sleeves where others hesitate.

PCI Pest Control makes the first attempt at battling back blackberries

A Team Effort

The next wave came from the North Thurston High School football team. Forty players, along with coaches, descended on Linda’s property. They filled another industrial-sized dumpster with blackberry debris and, in a single day, painted half of Linda’s entire house, while other volunteers finished it during United way's day of Caring.

Head coach James Stippich believes strongly in community service as team-building, and assistant coach Keith Moffatt described how projects like this reveal leadership among players. Moffatt said the North Thurston High school football team does big community service events every year like helping out the women's shelter, participating in Relay for Life, and even doing work around South Bay Elementary.

Cohen, an incoming Junior this year, says he saw the opportunity available and signed up because he's "pretty experienced in yard work." North Thurston students need to have a minimum of 20 hours of community service to graduate, some even more, Moffatt said. Cohen said he signed up as a way to satisfy some of that requirment, but it also felt important to him to help out.

Neighbors Step In

The transformation extended beyond the work site. Linda’s neighbor Brynn, whose yard borders the property, had long assumed the house was vacant. Without a clear view past the overgrowth, she had no idea Linda lived there. When she received RTTC’s letter about the volunteer project, she was stunned.

Brynn took the day off work to join in and later reflected, “Just learning that someone was there a couple weeks ago and lives there — everything has changed. My perception of this property being an abandoned lot versus being a neighbor, a neighbor that needs support and assistance… it changed everything.”

Brynn has since pledged to help Linda maintain her yard, offering to spread wood chips or keep the blackberries at bay. “I wouldn’t have been able to do what the North Thurston High School football team and PCI Pest Control did. But now I can offer to help keep it down,” She said.

A Unique Challenge

Brynn also reflected on what she learned that day about homeowners like Linda.

“I didn’t know there were organizations that cared like this. I think homeowners are a unique group of people because, yes, you’re privileged to have property, but also, if you can’t take care of it, if you’re unable to physically, or it gets overwhelming, what do you do if you don’t have the finances or the resources to get help? Do you have to give up your property because you’re not physically able to care for it? That seems like a really bum deal.”

Her words highlight an often-overlooked truth: good health is a privilege, and aging or illness can turn the pride of homeownership into an overwhelming burden. RTTC exists to bridge that gap — ensuring people don’t lose their homes simply because they can no longer maintain them on their own.

Linda’s Voice

Sitting inside her freshly painted home, Linda spoke candidly about life after her aneurysm.

“Everybody keeps saying, well, you’re lucky to be here. And I don’t know how good that is. Every time I have a headache, I think, is this it? I don’t want to live like this. I’ve been able to do my own bath and feed myself, but then I get dizzy sometimes. That’s what started it all — I got dizzy.”

Though her words reflect fear and fatigue, the repairs underway bring hope. With a roof replacement on the horizon and safe access to her home restored, Linda now has a renewed sense of stability.

More Than Clearing Blackberries

This project was about more than cutting back vines. It demonstrated the power of partnership: PCI Pest Control tackling the toughest jobs, young athletes learning responsibility and teamwork, neighbors finding connection, and RTTC coordinating it all. What was once a hidden, declining property is now a home filled with light, safety, and the promise of dignity for its longtime resident.

How You Can Help

Linda’s story is one of many. Across Thurston County, seniors, veterans, and families live in unsafe or declining homes they cannot repair alone. RTTC depends on volunteers and donations to meet these needs. You don’t need special skills — just a willingness to help.

👉 Get involved today: Volunteer with RTTC or Donate to support future projects. Your support ensures that seniors like Linda, and homeowners facing health or financial challenges, don’t lose their homes simply because they can’t maintain them alone.