Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program loan through the town of Paradise.” Jennifer said, “As great as the loan is, it doesn’t cover the entire cost of the rebuild, as it maxes out at $150,000, leaving a sizable gap in cost. Thanks to the corporate sponsorships and discounted labor cost, Love Builds is able to bridge that gap. We wanted to do whatever we could to get Ron into a new home quickly, as he is suffering from macular degeneration. He’s already partially blind in one eye, and going blind in the other. When we met with Mark and told him Ron’s story, he made it his mission to make sure Ron was in his new home and acclimated to it long before he lost his vision.”
LOVE BUILDS A HOME FOR Ron Carmody Ron Carmody is one of those people who seem to have a natural way of positively affecting those around them—the type who can find the silver lining in any situation. With a contagious smile and a boyish laugh at the age of 70, there’s no doubt he’s always been a charmer, and his positivity is nothing short of contagious. We caught it as soon as we met him behind his trailer in Paradise. “Well, hello there!” He exclaimed with an outstretched hand, “I’m Ron. Pleasure to meet you.” His energy conceals the fact he’s living at the site where his home once stood before the Camp Fire. Though it’s difficult to imagine how Ron can remain so enthusiastic after becoming a victim of the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, he has a lot to look forward to, thanks to the concerted 28
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efforts of Love Builds—a partnership between Paradise Adventist Church, Joelle Chinnock, and Mark Balken Construction— and a number of sponsors including Lowe’s and Academy Mortgage. Together, they will build Ron a brand new home, perfectly suited to his needs on his lot in Paradise, and they’ll be able to do it quickly at a significantly reduced cost to him. “The whole thing is so exciting!” Ron said with a beaming smile, “It’ll be nice to have a place to live again that isn’t a trailer with my 100 pound dog.” Jennifer Wolfe, of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley, has been Ron’s disaster case manager since May 10th, and immediately recognized he would be the perfect fit for Love Builds. “Ron qualified for the Owner-Occupied Housing
Within one month of Jennifer submitting Ron’s application to Love Builds, Mark and Joelle are well on their way to accomplishing just that. Plans have already been finalized, and the permit has been approved for Ron’s new home. At 824 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the new house will provide Ron with the room for an office while he continues to work. Should he decide he needs assistance after losing his vision, the office will return to a bedroom for a live-in caretaker. “Everything is moving really quickly.” Jennifer said, “It’s the fastest moving case I’ve had so far on the rebuild, and I’m managing 25 rebuild cases right now.” Mark and Joelle are committed to having Ron move into his new home by Christmas. “There’s a lot of moving parts and a ton to do to get the house built and ready by then,” Joelle said, “but we’re going to do whatever we can to make it happen. You just have to trust the process and rely on a higher power to guide you through it.” Mark continued, “Ron and his story captured our hearts right out of the gate. He couldn’t be more deserving of this, and we couldn’t be more thankful to work on a project that makes you feel like you have the opportunity to truly help someone. We couldn’t do what we’re doing without our amazing partners at Lowe’s and Academy Mortgage—each one has gone above and beyond to take hope and turn it into reality for each of our Love Builds’ homeowners.” If you or someone you know is a victim of the Camp Fire and still in housing limbo, visit Love Builds at www.LoveBuildsParadise.com to see if you can benefit from their project. You can also call them at (530) 896-1100.
