LIMA — Gail’s kitchen counter is not adorned with holiday baking or festive decorations this year. Instead, it is covered in tools, nails, screws, cleaning cloths and drywall dust, the same dust coating her stove, the only appliance in the room. The refrigerator is standing in the dining room because that is the only room with an available electrical socket. Three bar-height chairs comprise the only seating in the room.
Gail and her husband, Jonathan, along with their children Abigail, 11, Samantha, 10, Michael, 8, and Jory, 6, used to live in Delphos, but the roof of the house they rented leaked to the point where the ceiling collapsed in the children’s room, destroying bedding, clothing and other items. This led the family to move to Lima, where Gail’s mother found a landlady who would let the family stay in a house rent free, provided they repair it, as it was completely gutted after a fire.
“It needs work, but we’re trying,” she said. “As long as we’re fixing it, she’s letting us stay. It’s a real blessing.”
While Gail and Jonathan, a truck driver by trade, have been working on the house as they can, putting $3,000 in the house so far, there is still no heat or hot water in the house, as there is an outstanding utility bill on the property that needs paid before Dominion East Ohio will turn the gas back on.
“It’s pretty chilly,” Gail said. “We put in two electric baseboard heaters that work halfway.”
Only one room has been completed upstairs where Gail and Jonathan can sleep, using a space heater for warmth. Due to the house’s condition, the kids have been forced to stay with grandparents.
“Frankly, I just want them home,” Gail said, her voice breaking. “But I won’t let them stay here until we have heat.”
Gail noted that while construction material is a big need, the children could also use clothes.
Abigail wears a size 18 shirt, size 14 pants and size 9 shoes, and she loves anything related to country music.
Samantha wears a size 10 shirt, size 8 pants and size 8 shoes, and she is in love with Tinkerbell.
Michael wears a boys’ medium shirt, size 10 slim pants and size 4 shoes and loves Batman and Superman.
Jory wears a boys’ large shirt, size 12 husky pants and size 4 shoes and loves Spongebob Squarepants.
Above all else, Gail just wants the family together in a good home.
“I don’t want them to wake up to a cold house with nothing under the tree,” she said.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
