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April 4, 2008
Home makeover draws big support in effort, funds
04/04/2008
Home makeover draws big support in effort, funds
By: Alice Tessier
It won't be long now before a single working mother gets to put her head down in her newly refurbished home-a major, top to bottom, project undertaken by a local group dedicated to making life easier for those who need help.
Denise Gearin's home in New Milford was selected by the Brookfield-based Handy Dandy Handyman Ministry (HDHM) several months ago after it "missed" helping her out during its annual fall Rake 'n' Bake program, which marshals the services of more than a thousand volunteers to do some yardwork in several area towns.
"Instead, I ended up with a house makeover," Ms. Gearin, a former Brookfield resident, said, continuing to marvel at her good fortune.
"She really deserves this," Peter Brady, HDHM's founder, told The Journal in a previous interview, acknowledging that she certainly is doing what she can to help herself.
Ms. Gearin works five jobs, for, as she has said, "I'll even get another one if I have to, to keep this house." Her earnings go toward meeting basic expenses, and the pressure of taxes always looms large.
Now, however, she's in a different spot altogether, for many individuals, businesses and organizations have pitched in to help with the makeover.
Mr. Brady said in a previous interview that he always knows that he can get volunteers, but the main challenge on this project was obtaining enough money to pay for materials and supplies. His goal was to raise $10,000, and just last month, after falling short by about $3,000, he was approached by a parishioner, who chooses to remain anonymous. Mr. Brady said he was asked, 'What do you need?"-and he was then handed a check to make up the $3,000 difference.
Mr. Brady got another surprise last Saturday while working with his crew painting the interior of the River Road residence. He was approached by another individual bearing a check.
"I don't like to look at the amount because we're grateful. People give whatever they can," he said. The check was a big surprise to everyone-$10,000 from the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation of New Milford.
"I just broke down and cried," said Ms. Gearin, who is divorced, as her family helped out the other volunteers at the site. "It's so awesome what he's done-that he found all these people to help us."
Mr. Brady noted that the fund-raising total came to $31,707 for the project, which includes $3,500 from the Albert W. & Helen C. Meserve Memorial Fund of Connecticut; $2,000 from the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation; and a total of $13,207 from 87 individual family donors.
The Gearins-who include daughter Elise and son Lance; Ms. Gearin's parents, Richard and Mary Dandanell of Brookfield; and siblings, including Ann Capossela of Brookfield, who had mentioned to Mr. Brady that her sister's place had missed out during the Rake 'n' Bake-have been helping out however they can.
A large part of their effort was emptying the interior so that renovations could proceed efficiently.
"I painted the trim and cooked for everybody Saturday," said Lance, adding, "This is awesome. Peter Brady is a great guy."
"He's someone who believes that people can help each other," said Ms. Gearin. "He lives his faith. That's an inspiration."
Fifty HDHM volunteers participated in the project.
The manual labor kicked off with the removal of several large trees and leaf cleanup on the grounds and demolition of a shed. A new roof was installed, plumbing was repaired and upgraded, concrete front steps were redone and a retaining wall was repaired. Major electrical repairs were made and a new washer, dryer, refrigerator and stove were installed. Last weekend, all seven rooms were painted. This week, the wood floors have been refurbished.
Rotten wood siding has been replaced to get the exterior ready for its repainting, which is scheduled to take place April 19.
In addition a new driveway will be laid, black wrought-iron handrails installed along the front steps, a new front lawn will be cultivated and seeded, and new overhead, double, electric garage door will be installed.
"I just want to get back into my house," said Ms. Gearin yesterday. "I can't wait. It's awesome. I don't know how I could ever thank everybody."
HDHM's supporters on the project-who have provided either supplies, services, materials or discounts on essentials-include Kenny Aiello of Aiello Roofing, Jim Beardsley of Beardsley Plumbing, Ray Boa of AJ Construction (driveway), John Pastor of All American Roll-Off, Gary Stein of Concrete Sawing Co., Joe Genovese of JMG Lawn Services, Thomas LaBarbera of Tom's Iron Works, Rick Zucca of Lew White Appliances and Mark Hunihan of Overhead Garage Door Co., all of Brookfield; Mike Loya of Rings End Lumber and Bob Tedrick (carpenter) of Bethel; Andrew Barboza of Loft Flooring Design, Sam Heelan of Iovino Brothers and Henry Augusewicz of EMA--Electric, all of Danbury; Bertucci's Restaurant (Peter Cohan) at Danbury I84 Exit 8; Bill Landgrebe of Timber Ridge Services, of Sandy Hook; Joe Lasky of Two Brothers Tree Service and Tom Meyer (carpenter) of Southbury; Bill Hunniford of American Pie Restaurant of Sherman; Cathy Colman of CMC Bookkeeping Co. of Carmel, N.Y.; Steve Greene of Steve Greene Painting Co. of Bridgewater; Chris Baliko of Growing Solutions of Ridgefield; and Rob Grenier of House Medic of New Milford.
Ms. Gearin's father summed up the family's appreciation:
"Is it great? It sure is. It's a fantastic thing to happen and a fantastic thing to watch, and I think it'll make a big difference. It's going to be a big relief to us, because we've been helping her with her utilities and taxes, and it's going to do a lot for her. She's more optimistic about life now. It's good to see her smile and to hear her laugh."
©The Brookfield Journal 2008
Posted by hdhm at 8:34 PM