RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Monday, October 26, 2009

House readied for Parsons' homecoming
Burns Electric - Tiffin
By CHANDRA NIKLEWSKI

for the courier

FOSTORIA -- Iraq War veteran Shane Parsons is another step closer to coming home and Hope for the Warriors is one step closer to giving him and his mother a home to come back to.

The Parsons family will be moving into a new home in Fostoria soon. Although the exact date is unknown, Cindy and Shane should be inside their own house for Thanksgiving.

At least, they'll have a place for guests to sit when they visit.

A truck carrying furniture made its way to the Parsons family home last week from Furniture Fair in North Carolina. The furniture was sold at cost and paid for by Hope for the Warriors with help from various donations.

"We have, for the last year and a half, been remodeling the Parsons' home," Robin Kelleher, president and chief executive officer for Hope for the Warriors, said.

Kelleher said she did not expect the delivery to capture the attention of so many people, but explained representatives of Hope for the Warriors traveled to Fostoria to speak to the media and organize volunteers.

Hope for the Warriors, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty," according to the Web site for the group, became involved with Parsons' case because of the unique consequences of his extensive rehabilitation after he was severely injured in Baghdad in 2006.

Parsons, who was serving his second tour in the Iraq War, volunteered to go out on a mission on his day off when his Humvee was struck with a roadside bomb. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee and he suffered traumatic brain injury. His mother left their home in Fostoria to care for her only son.

While he was recovering at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, a leak in the Parsons' home caused black mold to spread. The damage was so extensive the house had to be condemned and subsequently demolished.

"This was an extreme case," Kelleher said.

When the word got out about Parson's situation, help came from all over the country. Turner Construction Company of New York City utilized the help of Lathrop Company, a contractor in Ohio of which Turner is the parent company.

Lathrop took care of the construction of a new house free of charge and Vocon Architecture, Cleveland, donated the design work. Endless Pool Company also took 50 percent off the cost of a rehabilitative pool for Shane and did not charge for delivery of the equipment.

The North Carolina furniture company is just one more in a long line of companies wanting to take part in the project to bring Shane home.

Cindy will come home first with Shane to follow. Kelleher said she is hoping volunteers can donate a few more things to making their homecoming special.

"Obviously, they've been gone a long time so there's no food in the house," Kelleher said.

Kelleher is asking for people to help stock cupboards and the freezer with products the Parsons family can use.

Leslie Hunt, project manager for Hope for the Warriors, was on hand when the furniture was loaded into the house.

Kelleher said being a part of this project has meant a lot to the organization.

"We love them. We absolutely adore the Parsons family and they have been incredibly grateful... And they've been a part of the whole process and approving the plans," Kelleher said.


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail rebeccaconklin@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   MULTIMEDIA
Flood Solutions Audio

MITIGATION: Possible flood projects for Findlay were presented in a public meeting Monday at Winebrenner Seminary.

Audio


Stories


Conceptual Plans


Technical Maps


Flood Portal

RESOURCES: At the flood portal you can find news stories, photos, multimedia, community features and updated river levels.

   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
Orange & Black Attack

OILERS: Follow University of Findlay sports with Brian Lester.


Far Flung Guest Book

DROP A LINE: Whether you're always here or just passing through, visit and sign our online Guest Book on the Far Flung blog.


Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
adam wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
concerned
“ i totally agree with you! when you call them nothing happens (unless you have a little bit of pot). I called police on a passed... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:21:12 PM
adam wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
grain
“ hey if you dont like the problems caused by this you should move. Otherwise shut up and count your blessings that YOU have a pla... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:15:05 PM
adam wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
pizza
“ you would be amazing sometimes the ammount they carry. Sometimes its a whole nights woth of working that they gota payback. ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:10:23 PM
TG wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
Capt. Treece
“ Why don't you put your money where your mouth is Capt. Treece. Bring out those numbers. The correct ones. I bet you make almo... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:52:23 PM
Chilli wrote in article "Extra enforcement slated for Saturday due to big game":
Extra Enforcement
“ I always wonder why they tell the public what roads are choosen for patrols. Can't the drunk driver just go another route? ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:48:36 PM
james wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
buddies
“ Thats not the way we see it ,,if you retire and can and do ,,,move on,, We the people of this county do not approve of this pra... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:01:31 PM
Get Real wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Why is this thug on the street anyway?
“ I believe if you review some history, this creep robbed a pizza driver in August of 2007 two years ago and was involved in a st... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:35:27 PM
Scott wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ While I agree with most of Cathy Schulte's comments, I don't agree with, "Good of her to fight back." How stupid would it be to... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:28:20 PM
JP wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
Grains, trains and automobiles
“ I live in North Baltimore, a pitching wedge from the grain elevator and a chip shot from the CSX main line.

It IS dustier he... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:44:07 AM
Cathy Schulte wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ How dumb ! How much could money a pizza delivery person have? To risk prision for any amount is crazy,but to rob a person of cha... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:34:18 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.