Trilogy Agency: Who We Help, Margaret and Ronnie’s Story

Our inaugural VIBE Home Makeover is just around the corner. And we are now accepting nominations for our Tampa Bay, Florida project.

VIBE provides designer home makeovers and renovations to recipient families in need, at no cost to the recipients.

In our first year, five families will receive home makeovers in the bay area, including one family who will receive the Flagship Edition renovation, an extensive interior and exterior transformation with 18 or more major upgrades and an array of home décor finishing touches from 12 different sectors. 

Some have asked us if we can share a story of a family we might be willing to consider helping, to see if a family they have in mind might be in a somewhat similar situation.

So here’s the story of Margaret and Ronnie V. (full last name extracted for obvious reasons).

Margaret and Ronnie met in college when both were studying to hopefully become future leaders in the healthcare field.

Margaret said Ronnie first loved her unusually long, wavy hair, and she was first attracted to Ronnie’s piercing blue eyes. Sure, they had instant physical chemistry, but both were equally attracted to each other’s passion for the healthcare industry, each hoping to build a career that they could each be proud of giving back to society.

Fast-forward 10 years, college now well in their rearview mirror, both of their careers established, Margaret now as a Registered Nurse at a respected hospital, Ronnie as a Physician’s Assistant. Despite unusual, and sometimes, conflicting work schedules, they have started a small family, with Ronnie Jr. and Leanna.

They were fortunate enough to purchase a modest bungalow in South Tampa, and although the home needed some work, it fit the family just right at the time.

Just five months after Margaret became pregnant with their third child, Ronnie was driving home from his late shift when his car was tragically struck by a truck going the wrong way—a drunk driver with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol, was driving.

Ronnie’s seemingly perfect life was now over, and Margaret was left to care for their two children, and one more on the way.

Just four months later, Margaret, already trying to adjust to a life she didn’t plan for, gave birth to little Bryanna. But another curveball. Bryanna was born with Spina Bifida, and Margaret was again adjusting to a life so different that the one she dreamed of growing up.

Margaret had to stop working as a hospital RN to care for young Bryanna and her other two children. She works remotely as a medical coder and her $3,900 per month income is only half of what she was earning in the hospital. And Ronnie’s income is now a thing of the past.

Still, Margaret was adjusting. With a close circle of a few friends and even fewer family, she was making the best of a life she hoped and prayed would get better.

Then, on his 9th birthday, her oldest child, Ronnie Jr. was diagnosed with non-terminal Leukemia. What followed were days and weeks she thought, “Why us?” She thought she did everything right. Was a good person, a good wife, a good Mom, a good everything.

Two years later, Bryanna and Ronnie Jr. are doing better. The family is dealing with all the setbacks that could have easily destroyed the family unit.

But not this family.

These misfortunes have changed the family’s life and depleted all their savings.

Margaret’s mother moved back to Florida, and has now moved into their Tampa home to help with childcare. With Margaret somewhat kidding that the childcare at times includes her 41-year-old self.

Now, Margaret and her Mom want to finish work on that modest bungalow that Ronnie Sr. started a few years ago, but with all the medical and life expenses, she has little money to proceed.

Being selected to receive the Flagship Edition of the VIBE Home Makeover would be just the lift that the family could really use.

A family so deserving of something good. After years of so many something ‘bads’.

Margaret wrote in her VIBE application, “I know our time is coming. Not sure it’s now, or later, but it’s coming. If we are fortunate enough to get this makeover, I promise the true impact will not be measured by the change in our home, but rather, the change in our lives.”.

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Funding for all VIBE Home Makeovers is graciously provided by our project partners, who contribute financial resources, home-related products with professional installation, and employee volunteer support.

To nominate yourself, or someone in need, visit the VIBE Home Makeover website (www.VibeHomeMakeover.com) and request a Nomination Form. Share the story about why the family or person you are nominating would be a good candidate. 

Marshall G. Zotara

Senior Managing Director

Trilogy Agency