Published: October 27, 2009 09:56 pm      

Welcome home:

BLUEFIELD – A volunteer carrying a vacuum cleaner passed a backhoe making last minute touches to utilities on Ridge Street. A flurry of round-the-clock work was coming to fruition, and the moment of the big unveiling was approaching fast.

Then word was passed to the volunteers — James, Carol and Briaunna Strother were coming to their new home. Friends guided the blindfolded family as they climbed from the car and walked up to the new house.

The big moment came, the blindfolds came off, and expressions filled with astonishment and joy. Jeff Livingston of Century 21 Select Properties handed James a house key.

“Want to take a look around?” Livingston asked.

“Oh, you know it!” James Strother exclaimed.

A little more than a week ago, James Strother and his family said goodbye to his boyhood home. The house held a lot of memories, but it was literally falling apart. Sheet plastic fastened to the ceilings held water at bay, the refrigerator didn’t work, 13-year-old Briaunna’s bedroom was scarcely a closet, James had to shave by flashlight and a raccoon dubbed Rory regularly came through a hole in the roof.

Then Century 21 organized an extreme makeover project and selected the Strother home. While the family had a vacation at Mrytle Beach, S.C., volunteers literally worked around the clock to build a new house complete with furnishings and appliances, a much expanded driveway and yard, a fully-stocked kitchen and even new art on the walls.

“Eats for days!” Carol Strother said, amazed after opening the refrigerator. Briaunna found a new and much bigger bedroom with pink walls, butterflies and the words “Dream, Imagine, Believe” to match.

While the Strother family and friends explored the new house, Jeff Livingston recalled how the project started.

“My wife, Nancy, loves the show ‘Extreme Home Makeover,” Livingston said. They decided to give back to the community by performing such a transformation locally. The plan now is to find a deserving household and do a home makeover annually.

“We want to do it once a year. We just need more businesses to step up, more volunteers to step up. It just wasn’t possible without our volunteers,” he said. “They really came through.”

Livington said the plan is to begin taking applications next June, select another home in need and remodel it during October.

Approximately $89,000 worth of services and materials went into building the new Strother home. When the family saw the results, they had to find words to express their joy and astonishment.

“It couldn’t believe it,” Carol said. “I said, ‘Wow, it looks great!’ It’s amazing how much they’ve done in the time they’ve done it.”

Briaunna liked her new room and everything else.

“I love it! I like the entire house, that’s all. It is so pretty!” she said.

“Oh, my God, my heart about jumped,” James said of his feelings when seeing his family’s new home.

Volunteers shared the family’s excitement.

“We’ve had good donations, good volunteers, and lots of labor of love out of the professionals,” said Lisa Collins of Century 21, who, like other volunteers, spent morning to night hours getting the home ready.

Rev. Courtney Wallace blessed the new home. The Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Kimball had been working to help the family with the housing problem.

“It’s been a dream. We’ve been working with the family for two years. Several things fell through, but in God’s time, it is here,” he said.

Donors and volunteers who aided the project included: Select Properties, owners Jeff and Nancy Livingston and son Jeffrey Livingston; agents and spouses Christy and Mark Wood, Joely and Rick Cole, Carolyn Phillips, Lisa and Shane Watkins, John Snead, Lorraine and Jesse Browning, Vivian Romano, Lisa Collins, Katie Melara, Ward Perry and Julius Farmer.

Local contributors include : Alex Lambert Construction; 84 Lumber, Kevin Colley; Sigmon Refrigeration; American Block; Mark Wood State Farm; Richard Sexton and Dave Thompson, Electrical; Perry Investment Group; Four Seasons Home Repair, Chris Hatcher; W & L Construction Paving, Greg Musick, VP estimates and Jerry Short, VP operation; Direct Furniture, Lisa Rasnake; Franklin Ready Mix; Sherwin Williams Paint; Family Carpet; Lisa Collins, Barkmore Properties; John Flinchum; Gary and Debbie Bowling, House of Art and Mr. Queen.

Terry Rose; Cole Chevrolet; Sams Club; Bob Evans, Teresa White and employees; Ryan’s Restaurant; East River Ink; Cumberland’s Finest, Inc.; Richardson Funeral Home and family; Mr. and Mrs. Houston and family; Cole Nurseries; Venture Printing; Kammer Furniture; Greater Bluefield Community Center; McGonagle Home Improvements; Jeff Livingston of Premier Ventures; John Melvin’s Siding, Windows & Construction; PAWS Lori Salyer; Julius Farmer Farming; Ray Strickland and Aaron Strickland; Romano Roofing, Mark and Zack Romano.

Ashley Melara; Dale and Debbie Fisher; Jim and Debbie Dietz; Kathy Schauerman; Amanda Fisher; Sara Wimmer; Faith Dunn; Nick Warf; Cathy Timpson; Ashton Stultz; Blaine Braithwaite; Cy Gadd; the Cooper Family; American Vending; Gene Shipp; and Nancy Duesing.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com