We are Jessica and Charlie Hazzard. We have purchased the historic 1938 hospital in Bigfork, MN, and we need your help to get a new roof. The building, which we have renamed Sam’s Place, is a 16to20-bedroom, independent living facility for special needs adults or elderly with some special services and meals provided. We are inspired to provide an updated, clean and safe living environment for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. We need financial help, community assistance, general labor and professional services.
A man I call “Coffee Cup” – As I peeled the bedding from a single sized mattress, I saw holes worn through the top that exposed the coil springs inside the mattress. This mattress, like many others, was covered with layers of blankets and sheets, stained and covered again and again… I thought, “Would I sleep here? Is this how I would provide for my kids? Would I put my mother in this bed?” I can’t believe this is the best we can do for those who need our help. The blankets covering the springs had actually intertwined the fibers with the mattress, making it necessary to apply a good amount of force to remove the blanket.
This is “Coffee Cup’s” reward for living here 30 plus years. His life was centered in a tiny room that had no sunlight. The window that had once been the source of beauty and blue skies, was now shielded by the underside of a makeshift roof protecting 1000 gallons of fuel oil. Jess started to weep out-loud. She proclaimed, “He deserves better. They all deserve so much better.”
This man we will call “Coffee Cup” had been living here longer than most people can remember. “Coffee Cup” could be found daily, walking the town that loved him and talking to patrons of stores. One day I watched him for a couple hours, walking from the north to the south and back north, visiting his regular stops along the way. Now I see him in a different light. I see a man living in an 11-foot square room with a chair, a portrait of himself as a young man, and his “nice” clothes that looked untouched for years, hanging in his private restroom that had been stripped of the sink and commode. The toilet flange was still where it should be but was “covered” like so many other problems in this grand, old building. I wondered, “Can ‘Coffee Cup’ articulate the needs he has?”
“Coffee Cup” had to be moved to a new home in a new town by the Itasca County Adult Protective Services. I often wonder…. Is he confused? Is he lonely? Is he scared? Does he have the support he needs now? He was such a loved part of Bigfork. Everyone knew him and now he is gone, likely to never return.
THE INSPECTOR! – We met with the county inspector that filed the report that eventually led me to this building on a service call to “fix” the boilers that had stopped working. I own Spring Lake Heating and Air. When I saw the attempted repair on a cast iron boiler with epoxy, I knew this building had not seen a professional for decades, and it would require a miracle to revive it.
The inspector was very patient, and we had many questions about his initial findings. He revealed that he had inspected about 4 rooms where clients had slept, and of those rooms inspected, THREE HAD ROOF LEAKS! Obviously, this was no shock to us after we were able to thoroughly inspect the existing roof. We knew the roof was no spring chicken, but not what we were told when we bought the building.
I have rehabilitated many houses, as well as worked commercial & residential heating and air for many years. Although I am well qualified to handle this task, we need help. As hard as I work to maintain my full-time job of a small business owner, a small startup hog producer, a father to a special needs son, and a husband to a loving wife… I can’t do everything that needs to be done on my own.
After requesting quotes for roofing repairs and replacements, I was turned down by some companies, as they told me, “We are not interested in taking on this project.” I have secured quotes from our local builders to replace our rubber roof with a truss and formed metal roof. We need this before winter.
We have begun the process of applying for grants, but for many it will take up to a year to qualify and receive funds in order to start a project. SO, we are reaching out to the community for help.
Although this project is important to the community, it serves as more than just community benefit. This project is about making improvements to a historic building that has existed in the Bigfork community for years and utilizing it to provide a safe, clean, caring home that someone would actually want to live in.
Who will live here?
This could be your uncle’s home.
Your brother that lived in a cabin in the woods might live here because he wants to live in his “small town” rather than dying in the city.
Maybe your mother will live here? She is just not able to keep up on her house repairs after Pa died, but she doesn’t want to live in a “home”.
This is a home for those that can almost do everything and want to live more independently. They want to live with dignity. This is where you would like to live if life is just too much alone. This is a home.
Contributions can be made directly to “Sam’s Place” c/o Bigfork State Bank or online at our Go Fund Me campaign: Help put a roof on Sam’s Place
Check our Facebook page at Sam’s Place Bigfork MN for specific smaller projects that can be volunteered for like painting, landscaping or cleaning…. or maybe you would like to purchase a front load washing machine, pour concrete steps, or help replace windows and doors… There is no shortage of work.
Follow our blog at About Living Hazzardously
There is no donation that is too small. Every dollar makes a difference.
Thank you in advance for helping us help our community.
There is no donation that is too small, every dollar makes a difference.
Sam’s Place, read more about our vision and Mission here Sam’s Place (livinghazzardously.com)
Connect with us on Facebook at Sam’s Place