Monday, November 23, 2009

In Which I Share With You The Amazing People Who Are Helping Make Our Home Beautiful and Accessible

Connor had a great day today-- no seizures. We're waiting to hear back from his neurologist as far as what the plan will be; I'll let you know what he says!

I wanted to share with you a list of the wonderful people that have put so much time and effort into our house. We are completely blown away at how many people have stepped forward so far, and the list just keeps getting bigger and bigger! I'll update this list (and add links to websites) as I get more information-- sorry if I've missed someone. I'll also be posting some more pictures of how the house is progressing as well as some of the crew in action! Here they are, in alphabetical order:

Alex with Western tile: donation of labor to install tile in the master bathroom and guest bathroom as well as the kitchen back splash!

Ed Anson with Anson Masonry: donation of labor and materials to reface the living room fireplace with cultured stone!

Steve Badger with Badger Excavation: donation of dump truck for removal of trash and demo materials!

Rhonda Canales with Design Illusions: Donation of labor and materials to faux paint Connor's ceiling as well as the kitchen hood surround!

Carrie with Gray Lumber: Offer of a new exterior door from Huttig Building Products!

Chris with Sherwin Williams: Donation of all interior and exterior paint!

Cody with All-Ways Air Control: donation of labor and materials to remove old electric furnace and replace with a new Trane 95% efficient gas unit, install an electric air cleaner as well as an air conditioning unit, and to add gas piping for two fireplaces, gas cook top, and gas hot water heater!

Don Dahlin with Seattle Lighting: significant discount on all light fixtures!

Bob Deaton with Jornada Roofing: donation of labor and materials to clean roof (it was covered in moss) as well as replacing or repairing roof tiles that were cracked or missing!

Tom Falk with Gypsum Wallboard Supply: donation of wallboard for the interior of the house!

Doug Firth with Meridian Plumbing: donation of labor and materials to change, remove, and add plumbing, as well as labor to dismantle the old electric water heater and add the new gas water heater! He also spoke with his vendors and distributors and was able to obtain donations of virtually all the plumbing fixtures!

Shane Fraser with BMC Windows: donation from Milgard Window Company of all new windows and a new sliding door!

Tim Haisch with Advanced Electronic: donation of labor and materials to rewire, add lighting, change out all the outlets and switches, add electrical wiring for a generator in case of a loss of electricity, and add circuits and outlets as needed!

Randy Jensen with Foundation Specialists: Donation of labor to install the new concrete in the front porch area for the stepless entry!

Keller Supply (Puyallup branch?): Donation of the new tub/shower unit for the guest bathroom, and donation of both toilets!

Reuben Knoblauch with Drywall Inc: Donation of labor and material to install drywall and texture where needed! He was also able to obtain a donation of wallboard from Gypsum Wallboard Supply!

Jerry and Rusty Lurz with White Sands Finishing Company: Donation of labor to install window casing, baseboards, wainscoting, bookshelves, and built-ins!

Brett Massie with Moen Faucets: Donation of all new faucets in both bathrooms, the kitchen and the laundry room, a new kitchen sink, new towel bars, paper hooks, and robe holders for both baths, grab bars for the shower and both toilets, and a new shower chair!

Dave McKinlay with Full House Construction (and his wonderful sons): Donation of labor to demo house and to frame new walls, etc!

Miles Sand and Gravel: Donation of materials to install new concrete in the front porch area for the stepless entry!

NW Builder Service: donation of material and labor to add three inches of insulation to the ceiling of the home!

Paul Passigilia with ProBuild Lumber: Donation of framing materials and some of the drywall for new construction inside!

Larry and Debbie Ruvo with Keller Williams Realty: Donation of labor by Larry to help demo the house, and donation by Keller Williams to defray the cost of a new dishwasher drawer for the kitchen!

Mark Schimelpfenig with SuperFloors: Donation of materials for all new tile on the master bathroom floor, shower floor, and shower walls as well as 5 feet up the walls of the bathroom, new tile for the guest bathroom floor, the kitchen back splash, and the dining room fireplace surround, as well as donation of installation of Wedi (a waterproof material) underlayment in master and guest bath, including the shower pan! He also is giving a significant discount on laminate flooring, an underlayment pad for said flooring, base shoe molding and transitions for the kitchen, dining room, living room, library, hallway, entry, and Connor's room, as well as laminate counter top and installation for the laundry room. In addition he is supplying and installing at a significant discount granite counter tops on all the kitchen counter tops and both bathrooms as well as supplying and installing carpet for the third bedroom!

Jeff Shockley with Cascade Millwork: Donation of materials or significant discount for all new kitchen cabinets (including a 9 foot long island), all new interior doors, new casing and base trim throughout the house, materials for built-in cabinetry in the living room, library, master bedroom and Connor's room, and wainscoting in the living room and library! He was also able to obtain the donation of a new exterior door from Codel Door Company!

Matt Sturgill: Donation of labor to demo house and remove wood stove and brick wainscoting as well as numerous other jobs!

Pamela Sturgill with American Design Inc: Donation of labor and materials for Interior Design services, window coverings, and shades and soft treatments! Pamela is also working with vendors and suppliers to obtain furniture, lighting, accessories, remote control features, as well as Project Delivery and Setup!

Deborah Tubbs with Basco Appliances: Providing at or below cost a Maytag french door refrigerator, Bosch single oven, Bosch five burner gas cook top, Fisher Paykel dishdrawer (the cost of the latter is being covered by Keller Williams Realty, and a one or two other parties will also be making monetary donations to defray the cost of other appliances), GE microwave and trim kit, Zephyr range hood, and Maytag front loading washer and dryer!

John Wynn with Evergreen Materials: Donation of cultured stone to reface the living room fireplace!

And of course, Bill, Becky, Linda (and the other Bill!), Mike, Brad and Tony over at Signature Custom Homes, who got the ball rolling and without whom none of this would be happening! Currently the house is on track to be done by Christmas, and I can say without a doubt that thanks to the overwhelming outpouring of generosity we've experienced in the last few months, for us this will be the best Christmas ever. When you consider the difficult economic times we are living in it just makes the gifts we are receiving even more incredible. And this list doesn't even mention the hundreds of other people who have prayed for us, sent us cards, letters, e-mails and packages, and who how shown us unwavering support that has kept us going when things have gotten really tough. We have been amazingly blessed!

Nothing we could ever do or say could repay you. Thank you all so much.

~Jess

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please add my thanks to each and everyone of them for helping you and Jer and Connor.

Repayment. Don't even think about it.

Barbara

Lin said...

I read a quote from Michael J. Fox years ago, where he something to the effect "I don't cry for the bad in the world, I cry for all of the good" and this post made me cry today. I read every one of those names and what they gave and I'm still so amazed. God bless these people and you on a holiday that pauses us to give thanks. Excuse me while I have a good cry for all of the good.

Kristin said...

I'm amazed at the sheer volume of people donating labor or materials or both. That's amazing. Props to the coordinator! It couldn't have been easy to organize that many people. Your positive attitude definitely makes it easy to love and support your family.

Julia O'C said...

WOW.

I guess this Thanksgiving will be particularly significant. What an amazing (and long!) list of people. What a beautiful thing these individuals have done.

Tom said...

This put a huge smile on my face, and tears in my eyes.

I love you guys so much, and so much good couldn't happen to better people.

Your bro,
Tom

Joli said...

I have been following your blog for a few months after one of Connor's therapists told me about it, and though many of the posts have been 'comment-worthy', this one takes the cake. The quote from Michael J. Fox is right on, and I can't read this without being overwhelmed by the amazing generosity of these people. I even know one of them and am going to tell them how amazing I think they are for contributing to such a deserving family.

Happy Thanksgiving. Truly it is.

Joli

Rena said...

That is so wonderful! Look at that list!!!! I love it.

xraevision said...

Good to think about those wonderful words from Michael J. Fox again, and they perfectly summarize the incredible gifts you are receiving. You've been paying it forward for a long time with your endless optimism and generosity. In sharing your story, you and your family inspire so many people and that is invaluable.

 
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