By Krystal J. Carman

CNHI News Service



CLAREMORE — In the drought-ridden state of Oklahoma, rain is considered a blessing from heaven.

Such was the case last Saturday, the day the family of Danna White received a new 5,500-square-foot home, when the heavens opened up and gave the community of Bartlesville a much needed soaking.

After five days and 106 hours of around-the-clock construction, White and her five children finally were able to lay eyes upon the house they received from ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

White’s family was chosen because of her compelling story submitted by friends from their hometown.

On April 11, 2005, White’s husband — Covington native pastor John White — suffered a heart attack and died on their 19th wedding anniversary.

Since the family resided in the Bluestem Baptist Church parsonage, she and her five children — Sarah, 17; Esther, 16; Zeb, 15; Rebekah, 14; and Ruth, 13 — suddenly found themselves homeless.

Through funds raised within the community and from the church, Danna was able to purchase a singlewide and a doublewide mobile home, and with the $50,000 in life insurance she had enough to purchase some acreage. However, the mobile homes had no heat, no working kitchens, no locks on the doors, no carpets and no power to the doublewide home.

Greg Simmons, one of the volunteer construction workers in charge of the project, said he was more than happy to take it on.

“I didn’t know who the family was when they asked me to do this, but I knew it would be a deserving one and was glad to help,” Simmons said. “I just didn’t know it would be such a deserving family.

“I have been so moved this week with all the compassion and giving coming out of these people. I’ve never felt something like this.”

The construction began Jan. 23 with more than 200 volunteers. By the end of the week, at least 1,500 volunteers had joined the project.

Washington County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jeff Fessler said he attends church with the White family and was at the site all week.

“The family is a real neat family, and this week has just been awesome and amazing,” Fessler said. “To see the builders and all the different people involved coordinating for this is just amazing.”

Sid Eckerd, of Owasso, brought 11 volunteers, including his family.

“We signed up to volunteer because we know this is for a good cause,” Eckerd said. “It’s been amazing and exciting. We watch the show every week, and we are happy to help.”

Funds have been established for the family’s utilities, taxes and other expenses, as well as college funds for each of the children, through donations received last week. Gift certificates totaling $10,000 from a mall in Bartlesville also were presented to the family.

Danna White’s doublewide mobile home also was included in the project when it was refurbished for another deserving family — friends of the Whites — and placed on the property. A barn also was erected at the site, and a horse was donated by the American Paint Horse Association.

The White family episode is scheduled to appear in March.



Carman writes for the Claremore Daily Progress.