2007Index

Landscapers Brings New Life to Deserving Family’s Backyard

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.

Foster parent acquires a new faith in people

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.

New Gutters & Handrail

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.

Contractor Gives Daughter a Room to Call Her Own

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

Kindness of Others Restores Resident’s Faith in Contractors

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.”