Back to top BOSTON 
Foster parent acquires With a name like hers, it’s no wonder Charity Bell has dedicated her life to raising more than 70 Boston-area children who are often HIV positive or drug-addicted. Eight years ago, at the age of 24, Bell found her calling when she learned of a need for foster parents while volunteering at a local hospital. After 10 weeks of training, including background checks and a home study, she got her first charge: a 24-hour-old, drug-addicted newborn boy weighing only four and a half pounds. She comforted him for three months and hasn’t turned her back on foster children since. “Charity has expended unimaginable amounts of energy and devotion to these babies, giving them the strength and comfort they need to heal from abuse and learn how to love,” wrote Faith Small, Charity’s sister, who nominated her for Wishmakers because she badly needed some kitchen repairs. “Charity puts her needs last and always has.” Bell says she’s never thought twice about the path she’s chosen. “Saying goodbye to the foster kids is always really painful, but the only thing harder than being a foster parent would be to not be a foster parent,” she says. “I realize I’m giving these children the strength to grow somewhere else.” Angie’s List sent out a request asking service companies to help Bell, and Sergio’s Renovations Inc. didn’t hesitate to respond. Sergio’s fixed holes in Bell’s kitchen walls and ceiling, added new wallboard, and finished off a kitchen closet, which they say is valued at approximately $1,200. “Sergio Deassis did such an amazing job,” Bell says. “Every time I walk into the room, I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, this is MY kitchen.’ They made such a difference that it makes me proud of my house. It’s now a pretty place.” Peter Pappas of Harrison Refrigeration & Stove Supply donated another new addition to Bell’s kitchen — a $149 GE stainless-steel countertop microwave. “It’s nice to give something back,” Pappas says. “It was funny — when I walked into Charity’s house, I realized she’d been a customer of mine in the past. I remembered her and she remembered me. I was just happy I could help out.” When Ellen Potash and Denise King of Clear the Clutter heard Bell’s story, they were quick to provide their organization expertise, even though Small didn’t request the service for her sister. “Anyone offering emergency services to infants needs everything in its place and needs an easy way to keep the system going,” Potash says. “What intrigued me is how Charity is a living definition of someone who always thinks of others.” Clear the Clutter lived up to its name and helped Bell organize her bedroom, closets and a room off the kitchen that’s now used as a combination babies’ room and pantry. “We narrowed down what was in her closet, so when she gets a call at midnight to take care of a baby, she can find everything she needs,” says King, who values the job at $500. As a wedding present to Bell and her fiance, Bill Lewitt, Potash and King have also promised to organize the couple’s kitchen after their Oct. 7 wedding. “They’re delightful to work with and the opportunity to be involved in Wishmakers has been a very positive experience for us,” King says. “Charity said getting organized was the best thing that could have happened to her, and this was the best thanks we could get.” While Bell says the organization and kitchen repairs have transformed her home, she thinks they’ve also restored her faith in people. “A foster parent gives a lot of time and energy, and I had hoped everyone was willing to do good in this world,” Bell says. “All of these people were busy and could have easily taken care of a paying client, but they gave back to me. I’m so grateful.” Back to top KANSAS CITY 
Landscapers bring new life to Before the birth of their third child, Kevin and Krissy Ringo bought a home in Parkville, Mo., to accommodate their growing family’s needs. The home’s backyard, however, had a steep incline that limited the area where the children could play. Kevin began building retaining walls to maximize the space, but between rainy days and 24-hour shifts at the fire station where he works as a paramedic, the project progressed slowly. When the Ringos’ baby, Matthew, arrived last December with severe heart defects that limit his breathing and oxygen supply, Kevin put the project aside to take care of his family. In the last six months, Matthew has had two open-heart surgeries and will require another within a few years. That’s why Kevin’s father, Gary Ringo, stepped in and decided to nominate the family for Wishmakers. “Kevin is a hard worker,” Gary says. “He needed some help to finish this project because it had been going on for so long and because of all of the problems they’ve had with Matthew.” When Gabe Olsen, owner of Olsen’s Outdoor Care, heard about the Ringo’s request, he quickly offered his help. An anonymous donor paid to rent a Bob Cat from Platte Rental and Supplies, and Olsen brought shovels, a chainsaw and several of his employees to get the job done. Olsen and his team worked with the Ringos to level out the dirt on both platforms of the wall and to clear away debris behind the fence. The total value of the work completed by Olsen and his crew was $1,000. “What I really liked is that Kevin was doing a lot of the work himself and was taking ownership, and we were just helping him with the next phase,” Olsen says. “We were volunteering time that would be put to very good use. The Ringos are very nice people who do a great job balancing work, family and this huge stress of their son’s medical condition.” Kevin says he appreciated the help Olsen provided to finish the backyard to make it safe for his kids to play. “I was kind of surprised that someone would take the time to help us out,” Kevin says. “It gives me a greater appreciation for people who are in the same type of situation we’re in and for companies who offer to take time out of their day to help.” Back to top PORTLAND 
Companies fix up kitchen Steve Long may be legally blind, but it hasn’t stopped him from living on his own and running a successful bicycle repair and maintenance shop from his home in Portland, Ore. “He’s gotten very good at it,” says his mom, Lois Roesle, who nominated Long for the Wishmakers program. “He uses his sense of touch, and he can hear when [bicycle] gears are in sync and when they’re not.” However, Long’s impairment — he only has about 20 percent of his vision remaining — can make it difficult for him to do things around the house. Roesle says Long often has trouble using his kitchen countertops, which haven’t been redone since his home was built 67 years ago. “His eyesight is so limited, he frequently drops dishes, coffee pots and glasses off the counters [because] they’re so narrow,” Roesle says. When two Portland-area companies, In Your Home and Anthony Adams Contracting, heard about Long’s predicament, they decided to remedy his troubles. Anthony Adams Contracting donated a used portable upright dishwasher, which owner Anthony Adams says would’ve cost $300 to $400 if it had been purchased new and was probably worth between $200 and $300 in its used condition. “It was used by my great-grandmother,” Adams says, “and when we’d remodel kitchens, the homeowners would use it as a temporary dishwasher. It works great, and I’m happy to see it being put to good use.” In Your Home modified a cabinet and installed the dishwasher in the space, regrouted Long’s countertops, replaced his kitchen faucet and connected the water line to his refrigerator so he could use the ice maker. By replacing the white grout with black, Long can “have a line of vision,” says Teresa Quinn, a remodeler with In Your Home. In Your Home often works with seniors or people with disabilities, says partner Dave Dickinson, who estimated the total value of work and materials for Long’s project to be about $1,350. “We do a lot of modification work,” he says. “Our goal is to be the resource for somebody when they’re trying to stay in their own home.” “It’s very rewarding,” Quinn says. “It improves the quality of their lives greatly, I believe. [We’re] definitely a company with a purpose other than just making money. Steve doesn’t let his handicap get in the way. It was very motivating to be around him.” Long may not have paid any money for the work, but he gave back to Quinn by giving her a hand with a used bike she’d recently purchased for her daughter. She says the bike’s now as good as new. “It was my way of thanking her for all her work — by helping her out,” Long says. Overall, Long says, the kitchen turned out great. “The counters were just old and worn. They also resealed the sink. They didn’t redo much of the kitchen; they just revived what was already there.” “The work turned out really nicely,” he says. “They did a fabulous job.” Back to top ROCHESTER 
Child caregiver overwhelmed Although she’s been through financial and emotional struggles, Karen Moses has found strength by nurturing young children. After leaving an abusive relationship in Alabama 12 years ago with her 2-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, she started the new life she was searching for in Rochester, N.Y., and opened Best Beginnings, Preschool Living & Learning at its Best — an in-home business now in its 10th year. Looking out for her family and the children in her care, Moses chose to have a lead paint inspection done in August 2006, and she says it confirmed there was lead paint on the windows and exterior of her 1940 home. She wanted to address the problem immediately but didn’t have the means to do it. “I didn’t know how I was going to come up with the money to do the painting,” Moses says. “Lead makes a significant change in the quality of a child’s life if they’re exposed to toxic levels.” Moses has taken precautions by cleaning regularly, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to make sure lead paint dust doesn’t accumulate, and landscaping 2 to 3 feet out from her house. “I wanted to make sure if lead paint chips fell off the house, they’d go into the mulch,” Moses says. “I’ve educated myself to make sure the painting [on the windows] doesn’t break down and chip, and I use a special cleaner that binds to the paint. I’ve also created barriers so the children are playing in lead-free safe zones.” Moses says she’s alerted the parents of the children in her program about the situation, and she’s optimistic a grant through a nonprofit that helps low-income families will be approved by December so she can get her windows replaced. After hearing about the Wishmakers program, Janet Chaize says she knew Angie’s List was the answer to Moses’ lead-paint troubles. “Karen’s household repairs are much needed, not only for her two children, but to maintain the child care program she offers to the community,” wrote Chaize, who had been Moses’ counselor at Alternatives for Battered Women and who’s now her good friend. “Karen’s calm and caring presence has always been impressive to me. Since leaving a violent relationship, she’s continually given back to other survivors, adults and children in numerous ways.” Sons Contracting Inc. volunteered their services to help mitigate the lead paint problems when they heard of Moses’ struggles and her commitment to educating children. “My partner, Dwayne Thompson, and I were looking for an opportunity to serve the community,” says Tom Johnson, co-owner of Sons Contracting, who values the job, including paint, at approximately $2,500. “We’ve never come across a story like this before, and we knew it would be a good opportunity for us and Karen.” Sons Contracting also contacted Vintage Exteriors and Interiors to provide and install new gutters, valued at around $1,000, on Moses’ home and persuaded Sherwin Williams on West Ridge Road to donate the paint. “It was cool that Sherwin Williams said yes, considering they’d already given their budgeted donations for the year,” Johnson says. Moses says she couldn’t believe Sons Contracting was willing to help mitigate the lead and find other companies to help. “For me, it seems like such a big thing,” Moses says. While installing the gutters, Vintage Exteriors and Interiors realized Karen also needed a new roof and offered to do the work, which is estimated at $7,000, for free as well. They called B&L Wholesale, which offered to donate the materials. “Getting a new roof is amazing,” Moses says. “One job keeps leading to another.” Moses says none of the work would have happened if it wasn’t for Chaize’s Wishmakers nomination. “It was so heartwarming for Janet to do that for me,” she says. “Everyone is busy, so I was somewhat overwhelmed that she took the time to nominate me.” Moses says after fleeing from her abusive relationship, she found a new purpose in life by helping children ages 3 to 5. “This is the type of work that nurtures my soul, and I like having that connection of nurturing young children,” she says. “I truly believe children thrive under the wing of a trusted, familiar and knowledgeable adult.” Shannan Swallow-Monrad sends her children Alexa Rae, 4, and Griffin Monrad, 2, to Moses’ child care because of this. “I feel my children get a rich learning experience at Karen’s,” says Swallow-Monrad, who was happy to find out Sons Contracting was going to remove the lead paint. “Karen and I had a discussion about how she needed to get the outside of her house painted, but she didn’t have the funds for it. My pediatrician would offer to test the children for lead during their annual visits, and I would always say yes since I knew Karen’s house had been built before 1960. The results have always been normal. I feel the kids are safer now [that Sons Contracting has done the work.]” Moses, whose program is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care and who is also a family child care liaison for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, says she’s thrilled by everyone’s generosity. “When Tom came to look at the job, he said, ‘We’ve been wanting to help,’ and Wishmakers gave him the vehicle for that. This is a godsend. Thank you.” Back to top SEATTLE 
Handyman helps widowed mother When Stephanie Chase’s husband, Matt, was killed in a snowboarding accident in 2006, the Bellingham, Wash., woman was left with the daunting task of providing for her two young sons and running a household as a single parent. Her mother- and father-in-law, Suzanne and Les Chase, have tried to ease Stephanie’s burden, caring for the children, Broedy and Ryder, every third weekend and doing whatever else they could to help. On a recent visit, they noticed that Stephanie’s lawn and gardens could use some work. When they saw an article in the newspaper about the Angie’s List Wishmakers program, they decided to nominate their daughter-in-law. “Stephanie works and takes care of the boys and the house,” the Chases wrote in their nomination. “As a result, she has no time left to care for her gardens. She’s withstood this cruel blow and is working hard to give the boys a happy childhood. We’re grateful and would love to give her something in return.” Suzanne says that Stephanie’s backyard garden, in particular, has become a “sanctuary” and place of reflection. “She started building the garden studio in the back yard two or three months after Matt was killed, but it’s been coming along very slowly,” she says. “It’s just her place to be alone. She loves gardening and flowers, but she doesn’t have the time. With two boys, ages 3 and 5, she’s got her hands full.” Enter Jerrod Sessler, the founder of HomeTask.com Handyman Service, who was more than happy to donate his time and services as part of the company’s HomeTask Cares Foundation. The foundation enables Hometask.com franchise owners to donate handyman services to needy people in their communities. “The fact that we were able to align with Angie’s List, where many of our clients and future clients meet, just made sense to us,” Sessler says. Sessler and a crew of nearly 35 volunteers, including most of HomeTask’s franchise partners in the area, gathered Sept. 15 to spruce up Stephanie’s home. They installed a new fence, did landscaping work, cleaned up the garden and planted flowers. The volunteers also installed five planter boxes for vegetables to grow next year. “It went great,” Stephanie says. “Everyone that showed up was very friendly, and I’m happy with the results. It will definitely make it a little easier for me to not feel so overwhelmed.” Stephanie says she didn’t get to garden this year because it was too hard to watch her youngest son and work outside at the same time. “With the new fence, I’m able to let the boys and the dog out to play, and I won’t have to worry about them,” she says. Stephanie says her sons may have enjoyed the day most of all. “They absolutely loved it,” she says. “The people from HomeTask brought their families and there were a lot of kiddos around. The kids helped do some of the work, and later in the day, they were able to play and run around.” Sessler estimates the work is worth between $12,000 to $14,000. “We probably had $4,000 to $5,000 in donated materials and rental equipment alone,” he says. “We have about 20 franchise partners in the area and all except a handful were there to help out. They all brought things to donate like plants, topsoil and other materials.” Additionally, local businesses Dumpster Depot Express, Custom Fence Company, Hertz Rentals and Furney’s Nursery all donated materials to help with the project. “The community here in Bellingham has been extremely supportive,” Stephanie says. Sessler says helping neighbors is part of his job description. The very core of the business is serving the needs of others,” he says. “If we could do it for free and survive in some other way, we would!” Back to top TAMPA 
Kindness of others restores Debbie Rowe of St. Petersburg, Fla., has always put others first. When friends didn’t have family locally, Rowe gladly opened her home to celebrate the holidays, with sometimes more than 30 people gathering around her dinner table. A successful wallpapering and cleaning business was another way she served her community for years. “I get enjoyment out of helping others,” Rowe says. “If I can help, I will.” A series of unfortunate events has turned the tables, putting Rowe on the receiving end of charity. In 1999, Rowe’s mother Geneva Wisenberger, 83, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She’d always promised her mom she would never go to a nursing home, so she eventually moved Geneva from Ohio to live with her. Being a full-time caretaker compounded by her own health problems, including osteoarthritis and a bad back, Rowe was forced to give up her hands-on business. “Debbie is not a quitter,” says longtime friend Wendy Davis, who nominated Debbie for Wishmakers. “Her life revolves around her mother.” Determined to keep working while taking care of her mother, Rowe bought a building in December 2003 with plans to open a bakery so she could take her mother to work. She also decided to have an addition put on her home to accommodate her mom’s belongings. Rowe, who wasn’t an Angie’s List member at the time, says the contractors she hired to remodel the bakery and her home both bailed after taking thousands of dollars and completing very little work. The company that worked on her home not only failed to complete the job but also left Rowe with $25,000 in damaged ceilings, walls and other structural problems. By this point, she’d exhausted her savings and retirement funds. “It all just snowballed on Debbie,” Davis says. “Several friends have been trying to help with the construction, but we still need to do a lot of work.” Four local companies jumped at the chance to volunteer their services. ATi Services of Tampa Inc. installed beautiful hardwood floors and baseboards in Rowe’s dining room. “I’m not used to decent contractors who come when they say they will and who work so fast,” Rowe says. “It looks wonderful.” Although Rowe had the materials for the job, the wood was too thick and caused a gap. ATi owner Jack Zolnierowski insisted on buying new flooring for Rowe so she and her mother wouldn’t trip over the floor. “Overall, everything turned out great,” Zolnierowski says. “We started our business on the premise that we help people out first, make money second. So participating in this was an easy choice.” Dobie McCaskill, owner of L&D Handyman in Tampa, ripped up old linoleum to make room for new ceramic tile he installed in Rowe’s kitchen, laundry room, two hallways, bathroom and bedroom. “I wanted to help, and I had the experience to do the job,” McCaskill says. “Debbie’s a nice person, and I think she really appreciates the work being done.” Christine Eagan, president of C.E. Limited, contributed a shower pan, and Frank Conklin of Clearwater hung five interior doors for Rowe. “I like volunteering, and I hadn’t gotten the chance to do that lately,” Conklin says. In all, Rowe received $2,500 worth of donated services from ATi, $2,300 from L&D, $300 from C.E. Limited, and $400 from Conklin. Davis didn’t tell Rowe she was nominating her for the Wishmakers program, so Rowe was ecstatic to find out she’d won. “I could hardly talk because I was so excited and crying,” Rowe says. “After all I’ve been through, I was basically ready to give up. Wishmakers has inspired me to keep going.” Back to top TUCSON 
Contractor gives daughter In March 2004, doctors diagnosed Paul Brown, a former welder and Tucson father of three, with breast cancer. His wife, Monica, credits their daughter, Danielle, 20, with holding the family together these last three years and through several surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy, remission and the cancer’s re-emergence in June. After obtaining her high school degree in 2005, Monica says, Danielle chose to stay home to take care of her father and sister, Kayla, 13, rather than work and live on her own. “She’s put her life on hold to be at home,” Monica says. Danielle’s dedication to her family in tough times is what led Monica to nominate her daughter for Wishmakers. About a year ago, Monica says, the family began converting their garage into a bedroom to add to the 1,100-square-foot home. But with Paul’s illness and her working full time as a Pima County administrator, there wasn’t enough time or money to complete the project. Monica wanted the converted garage for Danielle so she would no longer have to share a bedroom with her younger sister, Kayla. “I just think at her age, she deserves her own space,” Monica says. “She drives Kayla to school, does all the grocery shopping and usually has dinner made by the time I come home from work. She’s just a phenomenal person.” But Monica didn’t think the room — with an unfinished concrete floor, exposed wall studs and a doorway that led only to the patio — was suitable. When Rob Scott, owner of Handyman Connection of Tucson, heard the Browns’ story, he wanted to help. “It really touched a chord with me — my father’s a cancer survivor,” Scott says. He and his employees donated their time, money and expertise by partially demolishing a wall and framing and finishing a doorway to provide an interior entry into Danielle’s bedroom. Using donated materials from A Handyman Haven and Bobbie Joe’s Rug World, they also built a landing and steps for the new doorway, installed laminate hardwood flooring and carpet, finished and painted drywall, and added a walk-in closet and shelving. Scott estimates the project’s materials and 80 hours of labor would normally cost about $2,500. Until the work began, Monica kept the project under wraps, making it a pleasant surprise for Danielle. “I think it’s really great — the hardwood floors are really beautiful,” Danielle says. “For the first time in my life, I’ll have a real room of my own.” Back to top WASHINGTON, D.C. 
New gutters, handrail brighten Patricia Perry has lived in the same home she now shares with her only daughter, Priscilla, for more than 25 years. In that time, they’ve welcomed the birth of Priscilla’s son, William, and mourned the loss of Patricia’s husband and Priscilla’s father, Edward, in 1999. Then five years ago, Priscilla, now age 36, revealed she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system. The condition leaves her weak, making it difficult to maneuver around the house. The most challenging obstacle is the narrow staircase. “Even though she doesn’t complain, it tends to be harder getting up the steps,” Patricia says. “There’s nothing for her to hold onto.” Priscilla’s aunt Tarencia Wade, an Angie’s List member for more than a year, saw her niece struggling and nominated her and Patricia for the Wishmakers program, asking for, among other things, a staircase handrail. “When I ran across the promotion, I immediately thought of them,” Wade says. Wade also knew that there were repairs around the outside of the house that her sister couldn’t attend to because she was so focused on caring for Priscilla and 9-year-old William. “The gutters needed to be repaired, and they needed painting and flashing,” Wade says. “They’d been neglected because my sister didn’t have the means to do it.” Progressive Painting and Winston’s of Northern Virginia, which performs gutter and chimney work, came to the Perrys’ aid by touching up the home’s red and white trim and installing gutters and a downspout. When Lindsay Privette, co-owner of Progressive Painting discovered no one had addressed the need for a handrail, she called her husband, Thomas, to see what they could do. Within a few hours, they made the decision to also install a handrail. The Privettes often donate services to elderly customers, but this was the first large charitable project they’ve undertaken. “She [Patricia] really touched me,” Lindsay says. “We enjoyed the opportunity [to help].” For Charles Hall, president of Winston’s, community service has been part of his business’s routine for nine of the 18 years they’ve been in business. Charles says Winston’s has done work for Habitat for Humanity and has been involved in other charitable projects. “We have a very successful business, so I felt it was good to give back and complete the circle,” he says. “There was obviously a need that this woman had, and it was very easy for us do the right thing. Angie’s List made it easy. The customer made it easy. It was a pleasurable experience.” In all, the Perrys received $2,400 worth of service from Progressive Painting and $650 from Winston’s. “We’re appreciative of the support,” Patricia says. “When my grandson saw the railing, he said, ‘My mom is going to be so happy.’” |
