|
|
|
You gotta Love Lethbridge |
|
|
|
Written by Sherri Gallant LETHBRIDGE HERALD
|
|
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 9:35 PM |
When Ken Kissick and Al Fritz heard about the painful circumstances of Gary Boivin’s life, they immediately began devising a plan to rescue the Lethbridge man and his daughter, Michelle, from the house that was crumbling around them.
And Wednesday, the group the men are members of — Love Lethbridge — officially began construction of a new house on the site of the old one, which has been demolished, and celebrated what can happen when caring people come together in the name of Christ to help others. Love Lethbridge is part of a national movement designed to draw people to Jesus through the unity of city churches, expressing its love for people through simple acts of kindness with no strings attached.
The decaying home, at 1225 6 Ave. S., was something of a metaphor for what the Boivins endured since 1992, when Gary’s wife Suzanne learned she had brain cancer. At about the same time, Gary began having problems with the circulation in his legs.
Suzanne’s cancer went into remission two years later when she became pregnant, and Michelle was born in 1995. But a year later, the cancer returned and Suzanne was hospitalized. Before long, Gary was in hospital, too, with an infection in his leg that turned into flesh-eating disease, which cost him his left leg and damaged his right.
Left in a wheelchair, Gary became Michelle’s sole caregiver while Suzanne travelled four times a year to Ontario for experimental treatments.
By 2005, she was too weak to travel back to Lethbridge and remained in Ontario until she died, in 2007. Gary’s own poor health, desolation over losing his wife, and mounting financial stress made it increasingly difficult for him to maintain his home and eventually, the kitchen ceiling literally caved in.
Now, thanks to the donations of materials and time from a score of southern Alberta companies, charities and individuals, the mouldy house is gone and in its place, the foundation will soon be poured for a new, pre-fabricated house designed by Fritz and made by Master Key Ventures Inc.
As soon as the weather warms to 10 degrees above zero for two or three days the concrete — donated by Lafarge Canada — will be poured and the home’s components assembled. It’s hoped that Gary and Michelle will be able to move in early in the New Year, especially since in their temporary quarters, the bathroom isn’t wheelchair accessible.
“It’s a humbling experience because I wasn’t expecting it,” said Gary. “Pastor Ken Kissick and Al came to me with a proposal, and it was a total surprise.”
“Really it’s all through the churches of Lethbridge, people who’ve stepped up and who have a desire to help out,” said Fritz. “Total value by the time the house is done will be about $200,000 in terms of real value; donated value - probably about $120,000; and cash-in, $70,000 or so. All the balance will come from volunteers contributing.”
Michelle, a Grade 9 student at LCI, will get her own suite in the new house, with decorating assistance from Cathy Welton, who represents Master Key Ventures and owns an interior design firm.
To make a contribution or find out how to get involved, call 403-894-7115.
|
|
|
|
