Volunteers Help 'Remodel' Detroit Neighborhood (VIDEO)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - An army of volunteers took the streets in the Cody Rouge Neighborhood Friday armed with landscaping equipment, paintbrushes and a determination to make a difference with the Life Remodeled project.

Nearly 10,000 volunteers from area businesses, non-profits and schools have taken part in a variety of improvement projects at area schools, homes and parks in the 100-block area the past six days.

"We've got thousands of volunteers that are committed to the more important work of building up," said Chris Lambert, founder of Life Remodeled.

Volunteers could be found removing brush, assisting with crews tearing down vacant homes, along with cleaning and enhancing  schools in the area.

"Being out here in the community in Henderson Middle School is part of what we do every day in the city of Detroit," said Bill Emerson, CEO of Quicken Loans, which had 1,500 employees volunteering with the project.

Last year the company donated over 40,000 hours in the community, and this project is a continued effort of building up the city and its neighborhoods.

"As we work on that technology corridor (downtown) and build that out, we are connected with the neighborhoods as well," Emerson added.

One long-time resident was impressed with all the work being done in the neighborhood.

"I thought this place was going to go down," said John Owens, a 40-year resident of the Archdale street. "But you all got it looking real good."