Bryan Main Street Home Project Community Work Day
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Amber (Ricker) Stefanski (Bryan High School Class of 2004) and I am a resident of Bryan, located within William County, Ohio.
Imagine working full-time, third shift, in the community in which you live. Grateful to be back to work after being laid off due to the pandemic. After work you sleep as much as possible and then watch your grandchildren (unpaid) to help our your adult children who live on their own. You receive a couple of slips for certified mail and sign them, but never receive the mail, learning later on they must physically view her signing the slips to release said mail. After working one night, you go to head home only to be met by city police. Once arrested, Dena Stahler would later learn that not receiving those letters meant a warrant was issued for failure to appear. Her crime?
Having a house on Main Street with paint that is chipping. Yes, what you read is accurate.
One thing about Ms. Dena, that is important to understand, is that she did not ask me to help her. It was something that I came to her about, seeking her permission. When we talked, I explained I am "just" a teacher. It may help, it may not and it may upset people, and it may not. I shared with her that when I moved to Bryan in November 2000 with my mother, we stayed at The Sanctuary, which at the time was operated by Grace Community Church. In those months of living there, the church and my school -- teachers and coaches alike, rallied behind and supported me in ways to this day I cannot ignore. I told her that the Bryan community I know would not stand for this, but we won't know unless we try.
So, here is out plan to meet Dena where she is, with a non-judgmental perspective, since we have the privilege and honor of being the Word made flesh, meaning, we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our goal is L O F T Y, but entirely possible!!! While her home does have other needs, we are prioritizing based on what is needed to be completed NO LATER THAN JUNE 25TH. The court paperwork states that the "only" thing needed is the fresh cost of paint. We understand and acknowledge that her home has other needs, relating to a couple of windows and their frames being repaired, her porch repaired, roof repair, etc. However, with the tight deadline for this large of a project and pending jail time of { N I N E T Y D A Y S } and a FINE of $400. At this time, we are going to focus on the immediate need, while assisting Dena with connecting with outside agencies more equipped to handle the needs her home has for the long term.
So, here is our plan ---
1.) Dena's H O M E will be powerwashed at a substantially reduced rate via Aqua Force Cleaning Services out of Montpelier, Ohio (THANK YOU, WAYNE!!), currently scheduled for June 3rd.
2.) On Saturday, June 5th, individuals from Bryan and the surrounded area are asked to consider volunteering for what we are calling the Bryan Main Street Home Project Community Work Day. We will begin at 8:00 a.m. and hope to be complete and cleaning up by 4-5 p.m. Many hands make light work, and we could really use your help!
To sign up to volunteer, please complete the registration at: COMMUNITY WORK DAY VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
Scheduled Rain Date: June 12th, 8am-4pm.
We have the opportunity to work together to repair part of her porch (not cited) and to paint her home with three coats (1-primer, 2-base). I will update an update to this GoFundMe Page with a list of items we are anticipating needing. For example, we are hopeful for churches and businesses to step up to provide water and food for our volunteers, money to cover 5-gallon buckets of outdoor paint/brushes/sprayers, (borrow) ladders and/or scaffolding, rental of a port-a-potty, hand cleaning/sanitation statoin, plastic sheeting/tape, lumber, tools, etc. In my (Amber's) dream, we would be able to surprise her with a nice chair for the porch and a little bit of plants to make it more meaningful for Dena (time and donations permitting). At the end of the day, all that matters is that her H O M E gets painted.
The total amount needed to be raised will be adjusted accordingly as we begin to receive donations. If you are an individual or business who would like to donate products/supplies, in lieu of money, please contact Amber directly at: [email redacted] or via cell phone (voice/text): 513/295.2369 to make arrangements.
As a community, lets show her the tangible love and grace of Jesus. Lets show her what the "sweetest town" has to offer by taking care of ONE OF OUR OWN.
Someone who lives and works in OUR community. WHO IS IN????
Imagine working full-time, third shift, in the community in which you live. Grateful to be back to work after being laid off due to the pandemic. After work you sleep as much as possible and then watch your grandchildren (unpaid) to help our your adult children who live on their own. You receive a couple of slips for certified mail and sign them, but never receive the mail, learning later on they must physically view her signing the slips to release said mail. After working one night, you go to head home only to be met by city police. Once arrested, Dena Stahler would later learn that not receiving those letters meant a warrant was issued for failure to appear. Her crime?
Having a house on Main Street with paint that is chipping. Yes, what you read is accurate.
One thing about Ms. Dena, that is important to understand, is that she did not ask me to help her. It was something that I came to her about, seeking her permission. When we talked, I explained I am "just" a teacher. It may help, it may not and it may upset people, and it may not. I shared with her that when I moved to Bryan in November 2000 with my mother, we stayed at The Sanctuary, which at the time was operated by Grace Community Church. In those months of living there, the church and my school -- teachers and coaches alike, rallied behind and supported me in ways to this day I cannot ignore. I told her that the Bryan community I know would not stand for this, but we won't know unless we try.
So, here is out plan to meet Dena where she is, with a non-judgmental perspective, since we have the privilege and honor of being the Word made flesh, meaning, we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our goal is L O F T Y, but entirely possible!!! While her home does have other needs, we are prioritizing based on what is needed to be completed NO LATER THAN JUNE 25TH. The court paperwork states that the "only" thing needed is the fresh cost of paint. We understand and acknowledge that her home has other needs, relating to a couple of windows and their frames being repaired, her porch repaired, roof repair, etc. However, with the tight deadline for this large of a project and pending jail time of { N I N E T Y D A Y S } and a FINE of $400. At this time, we are going to focus on the immediate need, while assisting Dena with connecting with outside agencies more equipped to handle the needs her home has for the long term.
So, here is our plan ---
1.) Dena's H O M E will be powerwashed at a substantially reduced rate via Aqua Force Cleaning Services out of Montpelier, Ohio (THANK YOU, WAYNE!!), currently scheduled for June 3rd.
2.) On Saturday, June 5th, individuals from Bryan and the surrounded area are asked to consider volunteering for what we are calling the Bryan Main Street Home Project Community Work Day. We will begin at 8:00 a.m. and hope to be complete and cleaning up by 4-5 p.m. Many hands make light work, and we could really use your help!
To sign up to volunteer, please complete the registration at: COMMUNITY WORK DAY VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
Scheduled Rain Date: June 12th, 8am-4pm.
We have the opportunity to work together to repair part of her porch (not cited) and to paint her home with three coats (1-primer, 2-base). I will update an update to this GoFundMe Page with a list of items we are anticipating needing. For example, we are hopeful for churches and businesses to step up to provide water and food for our volunteers, money to cover 5-gallon buckets of outdoor paint/brushes/sprayers, (borrow) ladders and/or scaffolding, rental of a port-a-potty, hand cleaning/sanitation statoin, plastic sheeting/tape, lumber, tools, etc. In my (Amber's) dream, we would be able to surprise her with a nice chair for the porch and a little bit of plants to make it more meaningful for Dena (time and donations permitting). At the end of the day, all that matters is that her H O M E gets painted.
The total amount needed to be raised will be adjusted accordingly as we begin to receive donations. If you are an individual or business who would like to donate products/supplies, in lieu of money, please contact Amber directly at: [email redacted] or via cell phone (voice/text): 513/295.2369 to make arrangements.
As a community, lets show her the tangible love and grace of Jesus. Lets show her what the "sweetest town" has to offer by taking care of ONE OF OUR OWN.
Someone who lives and works in OUR community. WHO IS IN????
Organizer
Amber Ann
Organizer
Bryan, OH