July 2011--Over the past six months, the HBA through, our Charitable Foundation, has been working with a family in Newtown Township to help them in their time of need. A story with a beginning that is an all too familiar to our members:  Jim has been a contractor in the Bucks County area for his entire adult life, marrying his wife Sylvie, a French born hair stylist in Rittenhouse, and raising their daughter in Newtown Township. They bought a single family home, Jim was renovating the home, working in the area and they were living their Dream. At the time he contacted the office, Jim had just been diagnosed with ALS and was in the midst of executing a plan to ensure that “his girls” would be cared for as the disease would inevitably confine him to a wheel chair and ultimately take his life.

 

     The plan Jim developed was elaborate and covered every detail. The family owns their home in Newtown Township, as well as a 4 unit building in the borough (where Jim and his wife spent the first decade of their marriage). The family was set to sell their home and move into one of the apartment units. So, Jim began the process and reached out to a local builder, Will Hess and Mike Costigan, of C&H Construction, to see if he could help put an addition on the apartment building that would be both handicapped accessible and provide the comforts of home for his wife and daughter. Will and Mike eagerly and generously volunteered to provide his services, at no cost. They put their house on the market and began working toward the addition. As Jim’s condition deteriorated, Sylvie left her job to care for him 24 hours a day, and continuing to care for their vibrant 6 year old (almost 7—as she would say) daughter, who is all too aware of their situation.

    

     However, as we all know this economy does not discriminate, even for those with the best laid plans and greatest intentions. Jim contacted the HBA to help make this plan, their new dream a reality, after learning about the HBA Charitable Foundation from a local television program. They needed help with contractors, materials and funding. The HBA gladly agreed to help. After all, Jim is one of our own.
 

     Many of our members have stepped up to help coordinate, donate materials, volunteer time to fix up their home to ready it for the Spring Market. At this point, we have had a work day at the house where Ed Hauck (Rouse/Chamberlain), Chris Gillen, Tom Mirande, Brad Bauernshub, Brett Wernersbach  and Mel Hendricks (all from Beazer Homes), and Dan Stretz (Bucks County Electric) all helped landscape, complete some electrical work, tile around their fireplace and build shelving in the garage to help organize. Additionally, Tony Chieffo, Jr. provided labor to paint the interior of the home and Tom Adams Windows & Flooring is providing carpeting and installation to complete a project Jim started. The HBA is actively working to assist in the sale of the home through our network of Brokers and Agents.
 

     Additionally, members have been working tirelessly to complete the addition on the home in Newtown Borough. This charge led by HBA Charitable Foundation Chairman, Doug Sanders, TC Feick (Shelly’s Lumber) and HBA President, Ed Hauck, is well underway. Based on their efforts the addition is under roof and we are working toward completion. The project would not have been possible without the contributions of Shelly’s Lumber (materials, management), SWI Building Materials (roofing materials), NVR, Inc. (roofing labor), Dow Building Solutions (materials), Parksite Plunkett (materials), Bucks County Electric (labor, management), Fireside Hearth & Home (fireplace), I-Level (materials), Stock Building Supply, Feasterville Flooring (materials). This list is incomplete and will hopefully grow as we are continuing to work toward finalizing the project!

 

     Over the next few weeks, we will be soliciting materials, labor and financial contributions to support this project. If you are interested in helping please contact Bridget at bscanlon@hbahomes.com or 215-657-1300.

 

     Jim and Sylvie could not be more appreciative of the time, dedication and support they have received from the HBA and our members. Their “thank yous” and gratitude come daily (sometimes multiple times a day). As a member of the HBA, you should be proud of this work and of your Association.