Submitted by Rebuilding Together Thurston County
Meet Carol and Joseph, they have been married for 51 years and have lived a life of service to their children and community. It is not often that we get to meet History makers! At 74 and 94 respectfully, they have lived out the motto: duty first.
Joseph was a soldier in World War II (1943-46). Shortly before his service, he received the Carnegie HERO Fund Commission in 1942. Joseph jumped in a raging and frigid river to save 8 year old Carl Gallup in Hastings, Michigan. The boy was unconscious but Joseph did not give up until he found the boy submerged and swam over 35 feet to the bank to be pulled out by another passerby. Carol recounted the story of her husband’s heroic action as it is recorded on the Carnegie Hero Fund website.
Carol and Joseph have lived in their Rainier home on a limited income for 19 years. Although in great spirits, at 94 years old Joseph has limited mobility and as a result his household chores have started to pile up. Then recently, Carol fell out of the back of her pick up while going about her own chores and injured her back, so they decided it was time to inquire about getting some assistance.
After applying for help with us at Rebuilding Together Thurston County, we were able to match this deserving couple up with a grant from National Association
with homeowner Carol Sowers.
of Professional Mortgage Women (NAPMW) and a volunteer group headed by Kirk Haffner of South Sound Solar and Chris Hutchison of Home Street Bank. Collectively, the volunteers completed a long list of handyman projects and yard work for the Sowers.
On the inside of the home, Kirk Haffner and his employees from South Sound Solar replaced all of the worn out electrical outlets, repaired the plumbing in the
bathroom and the air leaks in the windows caused by the air conditioning unit, fixed the door wheels on the sliding glass door, and replaced the existing smoke detectors with upgraded CO2 detector/alarm combos.
Outside, the volunteer crew of NAPMW worked on beautification. They weeded the entire property, pruned bushes away from the front entry, raked up leaves and apples from around the trees and washed the exterior windows of the home.
Meanwhile, Chris Hutchison of Home Street Bank and his crew of men brought in gravel to fill in potholes and level both the driveway and walkway, added non-slip material to the entry ramp and stairs, relocated the fire wood pile for easier access, and even fixed the Sowers’ broken wheelbarrow and sprayer.
A huge thank you to the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women and South Sound Solar for making this project possible! Not only was this project a great experience for our volunteers, it was also a perfect way to show our gratitude to this heroic vet for his years of service to our country and its people. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Sowers for allowing us to serve you!
