The Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans was once bustling with residents and stores. Yet, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina ravished the area, the neighborhood remains nearly deserted.
One resident, Burnell Cotlon, is trying to change that (along with Brad Pitt). "I'm just an average guy with above average dreams — and my dream was to make my neighborhood look like the rest of the city," said Burnell.
Burnell was the first to rebuild his home in the area. Still, there's was something missing.
"There was nothing, nothing in the entire area," said his mother, Lillie. "There wasn't even a good street light out there."
Why wasn't anyone moving to the Lower Ninth Ward? Why weren't businesses reopening?
"The large box stores say they're not coming back because there's not enough people and the people that want to come back say they're not coming back because there's no stores," said Burnell. "What came first the chicken or the egg? Somebody still has to do something."
The veteran had saved $80,000 from his 10 years in the army. He and his wife, Keasha were planning to retire instead they opened up the first and only store in the desolate area.
"It cost me everything. It cost me my whole life savings," he said. "I'm going to keep on going. I'm not going to let nothing or nobody stop me."
The grocery store has become the heart of the neighborhood. Burnell hopes to open up a laundromat or even a skating rink.
Burnell may think he is an average guy but there is nothing average about the size of his heart.
See the touching story below and please SHARE if you know all of Burnell's dreams will come true!
