The Building Begins
Last updated 10/2/2006, 09:07 AM
Today the Blivens' house was moved from the site, and the excavation for footings and foundations was completed. Tyrone Leslie with Heritage Homes was excited to note that the project is actually ahead of the schedule he meticulously laid out, and that he expected the foundation to be complete by midnight. He expected the floor trusses to be finished by 6 a.m. How does he get the concrete to se so fast? The concrete is a hot mix-much more expensive, but the same quality used for traditional home building. It is usually used for high-rises and other building projects where construction crews need to keep moving without waiting for the concrete to cure.
The ABC network expressed appreciation for the high level of community support in Minot. Diane Korman, producer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition arrived at the build, giving a big thanks to ND and Heritage Homes for their support and contributions.
As the word of the Bliven family building project spread, friends and volunteers continued to come forward-many traveling across the region or even across the country:
- Bud, Anita and Cassie Nettleton, good friends of the Blivens from Burlington, N.D., are here volunteering all week. Their daughter, Ashley, also had cerebral palsy, and met Aaron when she was only two. The kids took therapeutic swimming lessons together, and Ashley was also in Dream Catchers. Sadly, Ashley passed away this last March. Bud reflected on the opportunity to help; "I know my daughter would want me to do this–makes me feel good when I can help someone else–another family with a special needs kid. It's something that God tells me I have to do."
- Former students of Michelle's are returning to be a part of the experience for a favorite teacher. One made the nine-hour trip from the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Another came across North Dakota from Fargo because Michelle was her 10th grade math teacher. She was quick to say "She's a fantastic, nice lady."
- The manager of the Target store, where Bill works in Minot, shared that this couldn't happen to a better family. A spectator who knows Michelle said, "She's the perfect person to have this happen to.'
- A concrete boom operator working for Strata Corporation was asked why he came all the way across the state. "People need to learn there are six pillars of life, and the first pillar is community."
