Rialto Army veteran and single mom of 6 surprised with free home repairs

RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- An army of volunteers was hard at work Wednesday making much-needed repairs to Maribel Chacon's home in Rialto.

Chacon, a single mother of six and U.S. Army veteran, found out she got the Memorial Day grant she applied for to rehab her home.

"We celebrated Mother's Day and the next day, first thing in the morning, zero seven, I get the news so I was very ecstatic," she said.

Chacon was one of 130 veterans applying for the non-profit HomeStrong USA's Heroes Home Repair Program. A group of military veterans reviewed the entries and felt the three-tour Army veteran and active reservist deserved the $10,000 grant.

"We believe that every veteran should have the best looking home on the block," said Jed Davis, CEO of HomeStrong USA.

State Farm Insurance chipped in $25,000 to help the program give back to veterans who are in need of desperate repairs to their homes.

"It's exciting to see all the work being done in this home to help her transform this house into a beautiful home," said Adriana Galdamez of State Farm Insurance.

Chacon says it's hard to watch the military volunteers fix dry rot, plumbing, electrical and even landscape her property with drought resistant plants.

"It's actually pretty difficult because it's not... it's hard for me to ask for help," Chacon said.

As she watches the transformation with her kids, she sees her family benefiting. The program hopes to help 10 Southern California families this year.