Work begins this morning for Joe Kaluza

YOUNGSTOWN — Former KFC manager Joe Kaluza and his family will be in their new home in about 60 days.

Work started this morning on a new, handicapped accessible home on Ivanhoe Avenue for the family.

Kaluza was left a quadriplegic when he was shot by a robber in a March 2008 as he headed to make a bank deposit for the restaurant.

About 400 volunteers, lead by a group of seven area businessmen, are expected to be involved in the construction. Kaluza watched the work from his wheelchair surrounded by family and friends. He said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity, but “not surprised.”

“When things happen for the wrong reasons, people in this community always come together,” Kaluza said.

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