Dec 17, 2007 11:09 pm US/Central
Hospital Community Helps Flood Victim Rebuild Home
RUSHFORD, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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For one month, volunteers came everyday to Jo Malmin's house, putting in 16 hour days. They sanded, sheet rocked, painted and more. What they couldn't do themselves, the hospital paid for a subcontractor.
CBS
A place known for restoring health is now helping to restore a home. More than a dozen volunteers from Abbott Northwestern Hospital have spent the past month rebuilding Jo Malmin's home in Rushford, Minn. She lost three of the four floors in her home in the August floods.
"As far as I'm concerned this house could have been bulldozed. It was that trashed," said Malmin. "Some friends told me you just bought this house, you have a 29 year mortgage, walk away."
For months, Malmin was depressed and desperate. She didn't know how to rebuild her home or pay someone to help. She had moved seven times since the flood and even spent a night in her car. Malmin said she couldn't even begin to visualize a finished product.
However, in October, she got a phone call from Lutheran Family Services. Abbott Northwestern had checked out five homes in the Rushford area and had chosen hers to help.
"We saw her home, it was doable and she was a nurse," said Daryl Schroeder, vice-president of Operations at Abbott Northwestern.
For one month, volunteers came everyday, putting in 16 hour days. They sanded, sheet rocked, painted and more. What they couldn't do themselves, the hospital paid for a subcontractor.
"I felt like I had won the lottery," said Malmin.
More than 85 percent of the work was done by people who normally spend their days running the hospital. On Day 30, project manager Tracy White was sweeping the floors. She's spent every weekend since Thanksgiving in Rushford organizing supplies, volunteers and materials.
"You're grateful for what you have and so being able to help somebody else at this time of year was the right thing to do," said Schroeder, who happens to be a master electrician.
Schroeder brought in his son to do some electrical work and his wife to help paint. He stayed in a bed and breakfast near Rushford for most of the month. After a long day of rebuilding, he'd return emails and voicemails at night.
"I've always been rooting for the underdog. Joanne was an underdog in this situation. She needed help and we helped turn her life around," he said.
On Monday, a city inspector told Malmin she'd soon be able to move back home. She said she's not sure how to thank the people who helped, except to continue to give.
"What I said in my Christmas letter to family and friends is it's not going to be about things anymore. It's going to be about giving back," she said.
Malmin will continue to live in her FEMA trailer until her house is fully furnished. Nearly 70 families still live in FEMA trailers in Rushford. Most people with significant damage have not yet been able to move back into their homes.
"This is a good day," said Malmin.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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