The House that Neighbors Built
Love Conquers All, Even Great Tragedies
by Fred Hernandez
Exclusive from Sangre de Cristo Sentinel
WESTCLIFFE, Colo.
Tragedy struck with two sharp blows in quick succession. In November of last year, a son passed away as a result of violence that has the Fremont Police Department still in the process of investigating. Just weeks later, in December, her home of almost three decades, catches fire from a malfunctioning heater and the flames take away everything she owned including her beloved pet cats.
Such was the brutal end to the unforgettable year 2017 for the twice widowed Mrs. Judy Field, a selfless lady who devotes much, if not all her available time, as a volunteer and willing helper to all who are in need. Mrs. Field works tirelessly as a volunteer at THE PANTRY a charitable entity on 7th St. and Harrison Ave. in Cañon City. They take donations mainly from the Loaf N Jug, and many others, and distribute the food products to about fifty people on a regular basis and even more people in the fall months peaking in December at Christmastime. Mrs. Field who is kind and generous says of her clientele; “it hurts your heart, they have so little to begin with”. And, little did she know, she too would end up with even less than little. Such a thorough devastation which leaves one with nothing is, to say the least, complete ruin. How does one recover from such tragic moments? Can one even survive it?
The answer is yes. It comes from the ancient commandment passed down the ages through Moses: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”. And so it was that, neighbors Bill and Laurie Marshall, immediately responding to the crisis, took Mrs. Field and her two dogs (Dixie and Smoky), who were set free from the flaming inferno by other neighbors Butch Russell and Tom Kravis. Neighbors helping neighbors in an awesome display of love and compassion. Neighbors who not only opened homes but also their hearts to reveal deep feelings of concern and to embrace those who in their lowest moments of deep suffering and sadness have nothing to look forward to.
The story of Mrs. Field is a journey that begins in the State of Washington where she was originally from. She left there with her husband and three sons for job opportunities in California where they managed motels and, from there, on to Texas. Forty years ago, they moved to Cañon City where she lost her first husband. Eventually she remarried, and her second husband was one who longed to “go back to the land” which prompted them to purchase the sixteen acres near Iron Mountain Road in Fremont County where she has lived for the last twenty-seven years until tragedy struck.
Through the years of volunteering at The Pantry, Judy met and made many friends. One of them was going to play an important part in Judy’s future. Mrs. Martha Starr is a co-volunteer with Judy at THE PANTRY. Upon learning of her friend’s tragedy, Martha made up her mind that Judy would not be without a home. Through her many contacts Martha started the long process of organizing people and events to achieve her objective.
She first met with Mr. Chris Jenkins, an accomplished local home builder with many years of experience. Mr. Jenkins agreed to help as the general contractor. With that Mrs. Starr met with Judy and made her announcement; as Judy recalls it, Martha said, “We are going to build you a house. Do you want to be surprised or do you want to be involved?” For Judy it was an incredible statement. As she goes back through her memories of the events at that time, she was astonished and yet, it seems, she says almost tearfully, once it started it just kept going and going. She had many meetings with Martha in January as she drew her plans and made a list of how she wanted her house configured. The drawings were later formalized by Mr. Jenkins.
In early February Judy, Martha and Chris Jenkins had a meeting at the property to “walk” around and to determine the location of the new house. Shortly afterwards, Martha was busy with calling and meeting suppliers, many of who were willing to help and were generous in their contributions and offerings. Home Depot willingly gave product for flooring, windows, tiles and bathroom fixtures among other things. Sherwin Williams donated paint and related materials, A-1 Garage Doors & Openers gave product, J.R.B Electric LLC offered their services and many others mentioned in a separate list accompanying this article.
The project broke ground in April with Mr. Jenkins workers laying the fundamental structure. In the meantime, Mrs. Martha Starr not only maintained close contact with suppliers she also organized dozens of volunteers, neighbors and others, and formed them into crews who came to help with actual construction. Although some had no experience in building homes, they gamely accepted the chores given as Mr. Jenkins trained them in the rudiments of framing, insulation, dry walling; all the while aided and supervised by highly experienced workers from Jenkins Construction Company. The crews had definite schedules to keep and the construction site was busy all day, sometimes even after the sun had set behind the Sangres. Some volunteers do not want to be mentioned. Such is the high standard of commitment found in this community of patriots. In the end, the house was completed in record time. Mrs. Field moved into her cozy, approximately nine hundred square foot home, in July. Mrs. Judy Field recalls yet again that she does not have any words to describe the overall aura of goodness in a community laboring tirelessly to help one of their own. It was simply marvelous neighbors coming together to assist. Even the Humane Society where her two dogs remained while construction was in progress did not charge her for their stay.
According to Judy it was a most humbling experience. “The house is not really mine”, she says, “Every piece of it has somebody’s heart in it – every part of this house is Southern Colorado.” She goes on, “I had nothing – just the car and the clothes on my back– and now, look at this beautiful, beautiful house! From all those beautiful people.” It was simply amazing.
Mrs. Starr who grew up in a time when it was not only an American tradition but almost an unwritten rule to help others in need, remembers well the words of the late President John F. Kennedy when he famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. Guided by that underlying theme of selflessness, we can safely say that love can conquer all. Love of neighbor, love of community, love of country. Long live the spirit of the willing volunteers who are the ones who truly make this country great yesterday, today and always.
(Next week we’ll have a list of businesses and volunteers that made Mrs. Field’s home a reality in our print edition. It will appear here on Friday, September 14. )