REDLANDS, Calif. -- When Kaitlyn MacKay learned new grass was to be installed in the backyard of her home this week, she did a happy dance.
On Wednesday, the 7-year-old's dance intensified when dozens of volunteers donated their time to make much-needed repairs on her family's home.
Kaitlyn lives at the home with her 8-month-old brother Cayden and mother Lynette, the widow of fallen San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Jeremiah MacKay.
New windows, a garage door and an indoor-outdoor play area for MacKay's children were just a few of the projects on a long list volunteers from Home Depot and the Sheriff's Department were hoping to complete Wednesday afternoon.
Home Depot's Highland Avenue store in San Bernardino spearheaded the effort after associates were contacted by the deputy's father, Alan, to help make the home more secure for the family.
The store jumped at the opportunity to help, said Virgie Flores, a Home Depot employee and captain of Team Depot, the corporation's associate-led volunteer program.
"We got all on board and said we wanted to do more. We got all these different places to donate (materials) ... and we made it happen," she said. "Team Depot is all about giving back to our community ... to help improve (them)."
Alan MacKay watched as volunteers repaired sprinklers on the front lawn, installed new lighting and complete two play areas -- one inside and one outside -- for his step-granddaughter to play on when she returned from school.
Alan MacKay interacted with the volunteers and listened to stories about his son, many of whom called the deputy a hero and a man with a big heart.
"It gives us a little joy and pride to see these guys show up and do all of this," said Alan MacKay, who traveled from Parker, Colo., to watch the effort. "They would want something like this to happen for their family if they were in a situation where they had died in the line of duty. That is how they feel about it. They want to be able to support my family like they would have wanted for their family."
Lynette MacKay cradled her young son in front yard, a bit teary eyed as she witnessed one project after another.
New furniture and appliances were to be delivered Wednesday afternoon.
Lynette MacKay was elated.
"I'm so excited. This is just so amazing. I don't know how to describe it but 'amazing,'" she said. "I know my husband is smiling right now because all the stuff that we're doing is for the kids. We're getting a playroom, a safe backyard. He knows his wife and kids are going to be taken care of and they have a safe place to live."
Days after the deputy was killed on Feb. 12 in a shootout with former Los Angeles police Officer Christopher Dorner, several organizations, restaurants and community members offered to help the family, as well as the family of MacKay's wounded partner, Alex Collins who is still recovering.
Lynette MacKay said she was surprised but thankful for the support.
"I'm feeling very blessed," she said. "The love and support is so overwhelming, I can't say enough."
Alan MacKay agreed.
"When it came to things like this," he said, "(Jeremiah) was pretty humble. This is something he would have been a part of. If it were somebody else, he would be right here working as hard as he could."
Copyright 2013 - Redlands Daily Facts, Calif.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
