Help Claire Return Home

Claire Eckley, teacher, tutor, advocate, friend, volunteer, is always willing to help others! Claire now has a personal challenge!

Friends of Claire have gathered to assist in Returning Claire Home.  The Saga is an amazing story needing a positive ending.  

One day a fire occurred. It was Halloween, October 31, 2013!  It is now 6 years later. 


That day a fire began in an electrical outlet on the wall between the kitchen counter and kitchen cabinet in her home. 






The photo shows the one-two by four, fourth from the left, needing replacement with the small amount of fire damage.  Extensive smoke throughout the house.


At the time, Claire had insufficient insurance.  It seemed there should be avenues for assistance.  United Way provided a list of agencies and contacts. Responses included, “I am sorry but there is nothing we can do to assist.”  or, “you qualify for assistance in our program but at this time there is no one to read your request.”  Low-income assistance did not provide an answer. 

HALLELUJAH!  HOME DEPOT agreed to donate to the project.   The Electrical Union said, “Union Members help Union Members in Need”.  NECA agreed to provide all electrical work.  

Help provided to Claire thus far has been from friends. Among them: Minnesota Icelanders, Lutheran Social Services, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights,  St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church - St. Paul, MN, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, Structural Engineers, Walter Gislason, Steingrimur Steinolfson, Dan Gregg, Jan Needham, Holly Ralph. Also, Home Depot and NECA/John Ries Electric have maintained their offers of assistance since 2014. But much work remains to be completed before Claire has her home back, and in the meantime, Claire has had to maintain all ongoing costs for the house: e.g. mortgage, utilities, and storage and a place to live.

What is most needed now are funds to pay for wall preparation, sheet-rock, insulation, six kitchen cabinets, baseboards and window/door molding, and flooring installation to the extent not donated. A project manager will need payment. Friends and volunteers have offered assistance in providing, implementing and completing some of the physical tasks to the extent they are able and a team has come together to implement work completion provided that Claire obtains the funding for the materials, project manager, installation and related expenses that are not donated. The current estimate is about $ 25,000.

Claire is looking forward to the day when she can say thank you in the Media to everyone that has helped her and share the importance of HOPE.

Friends of Claire hope that you will find a way to assist with: financial donation, donation, or volunteering.

Your assistance is appreciated. 


Claire Eckley 
Claire's Home is away from the street overlooking a pond and large grassy knoll.


PROJECT INFORMATION:
EXPENSES 
Demo Smoke Damaged Materials                                       $550                                                      Plumbing Repairs                                                                           $750                                                      Inspect all substrate and mechanical Systems                   $0                                                Reinsulate and install vapor barrier                               $6,500                                                Install drywall and tape and texture                               $6,500                                                      Install new flooring                                                                   $3,500
Clean, seal, replace cabinets and appliances             $2,200
Install new trim                                                                           $1,000
Paint all surfaces                                                                        $1,000                
Clean HVAC System                                                                     $500
Electrical Certification                                                                $500
Storage, Light Fixtures, Miscellaneous Expenses   $2,000

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                                   $25,000