12/9/2009 8:50:00 AM
Volunteers renovate injured woman's home in a day
Miracle in Cordes Lakes
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Left, Jenna Haubrick, an unidentified volunteer, and Derek Peterson paint Maria Tello's kitchen with primer Saturday, as a group of youth outside work to remove a tree stump from the yard.
BBNPhoto/Heidi Dahms Foster |
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Jim Weingartner, who put the project together, talks with Tello as work progresses.
BBNPhoto/Heidi Dahms Foster |
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Some generous donors and a group of about 60 volunteers on Saturday created a Christmas miracle for a Cordes Lakes woman.
When Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer Jim Weingartner did some repair work for Maria Tello's sister, she told him that Tello, who had suffered an accident several months ago that left her with a broken back, could use some help. When Weingartner arrived, he found that Tello's trailer had been without a working furnace for several years, the kitchen sink was clogged, the place was in total disrepair and the yard full of junk and trash. Tello was alone and had no means to do repairs or clean her yard.
"God placed in my heart to help people like this," Weingartner said. "I started small. The sink wasn't working, and (Tello) had been washing the dishes in her tub for years. She said she could keep doing that, she's so humble."
Word began to get around about Tello's need. A church group from the Heights Church in Prescott put together a plan to help. Weingartner's sister-in-law works for Christian radio station KGCB, and when the station made a call for volunteers to help out, the phone began ringing off the hook. The result was what Weingartner dubbed "The Arizona Mini Makeover."
Mike Moyer of Moyer's Heating and Cooling donated a new furnace. Nick Miller of Flagstaff gave new carpet. Sunstate Lumber and Truss provided lumber for repairs. Steve Reed from the Heights Church donated a new bed, complete with linens and comforter. High Desert Door, Weingartner's company, gave new doors and lumber. Curtis and Paulie Stanley from Wilhoit donated all the food for the day and left a trailer for her to stay until the house is done. Waste Management donated the use of a dumpster, and Patriot Disposal provided a porta-potty for the site.
Then, some 60 people of all ages from several different area churches, and as far away as Phoenix, descended on Maria's property Saturday and went to work. Volunteers gutted the inside of the trailer, fixed plumbing, and upgraded electrical wiring. Outside, carpenters installed new insulation and siding, trimmed trees, raked the yard and discarded trash.
Meanwhile, Tello stood in the yard and wept with joy. "I'm walking on clouds," she said.
After a bad accident several months ago, doctors told Maria she would be in a wheelchair, but she is walking today. She still faces more surgery, but she is healing and grateful.
"I'm a miracle," she said. "I feel so much better, and after they redo my house, I can heal. Only the Lord could do this."
Jenna Haubrick, a member of the Heights Church college group, said when her group arrived, they were a bit overwhelmed.
"We were like, 'This is a lot of work.' But by the time we were done, it was cleaned up. We were pretty exhausted, but it was so rewarding to be a part of something like that and see how many people came together from all different churches. That was cool," she said.
Cordes Lakes resident Lisa Hamilton and her husband, Todd, both worked on the project. They are a part of Springs Church that meets at Mayer High School.
"They announced it on Radio Shine, that's how our church heard about it. People just called the number and said, 'OK, I'll come.' I took a break and went outside, and I couldn't believe how many people showed up. The yard in itself looks awesome - the youth group did an awesome job," she said.
By the end of the day Saturday, the heavy work was complete. This week, volunteers will finish painting, install carpeting, and then move Tello back into her home. She is staying in the Stanley's trailer, and excitedly greeting those who are finishing work on her home.
"They left me food, heat, everything," she said. By Monday, she was relaxing with her two old dogs, ages 10 and 11.
"They don't know what is going on, but they're OK as long as I'm here," she said.
Weingartner is thrilled with the outpouring of compassion for Tello.
"People came from all over the place, and just offered their time and money. I had people send me cash in the mail, with no return address. I can't even thank them," he said.
Tello is seeing not only the makeover of her home, but of some relationships as well. She had been estranged from her daughter because of a misunderstanding. She had called recently and left a message for her daughter, and then her daughter called and said she had heard her mom's name on the radio. The two began talking, and now, Tello will visit her grandchildren at Christmas. She also repaired relationships with her neighbor and her church, she said.
"They call this a mini makeover. I call it a maxi makeover - it's everything I dreamed of," she said.
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