by CJ Vetter
Kyle – The Journey Methodist Church is coming together to help 90 year old veteran Chuck Sherwood and his 76 year old wife Sherry Sherwood build a new home on their property. The new home is being built out of a prefabricated shell, with new amenities being added by volunteers and paid for by donors.
The project was headed by Pastor Kenneth J. Polk, who helped direct the effort after being alerted by Meals On Wheels, an organization dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. The group contacted them, hoping that they could do something to help the Sherwoods. Once discovering the state of their home, and after failed attempts to repair the home, followed by the disastrous impact of COVID-19 and the winter freeze, the church resolved to help them as best they can, going as far as Polk himself delivering water to the Sherwoods.
“When we got there, the house was the worst house in the world. Plumbing doesn’t work, only one window unit with tape all over it, the roof leaked, no hot water heater, so no hot water in five years.” Polk said. “We tried a lot of different methods, but we couldn’t get anything to happen. So people donated money, and we got one of those pre-made buildings to turn into a real home.”
The structure was bought by the church, and is being renovated by volunteers from the church like Doug and Scheryl Ragsdale. While only 12 by 36 feet in size with no drywall or flooring, the goal is to transform the house into a comfortable living space, with air conditioning, heat, running water, and a functional bathroom suited for the elderly couple.
“We love each other, we love the community, and we’re gonna reach out as many times as we can. This has been a pretty big project. At one point, we had a trailer, but that was too small. We’re really happy where god has led us, and it’s pretty much a miracle that what you see right there is standing there.” Doug Ragsdale said.
Chuck, who is a veteran and currently in physical therapy, requires visits from nurses and must use a wheelchair to move, will be receiving a new sit-down shower and a new ramp connecting his old house to his new home, as well as a new TV and a recliner to watch it from. His wife, Sherry, will be moving in alongside him. When asked what she would say to all the people who were helping them and donating money, Sherry said that she “felt like the luckiest girl in the world,” and that “She would thank them all very kindly.”
The construction of the new house is underway, with the structure of the house now up, but work is far from over. Plumbing, wiring, drywall and more will need to be brought in and installed. Volunteers are welcomed from anywhere to help out, either through direct work or donations. Markus Terwilliger, a volunteer from Journey Methodist Church, was one of the volunteers who was helping install the roof for the bathroom.
“There was a lot of mission work that was going on in south Texas down around the lower Colorado river that had been flooded a couple years ago. There was a lot of call to go down into towns around that area. I didn’t mind doing that, I really like mission work. But when there was a call to do something close by, it made sense,” Terwiliger said. “Why would you travel three hours when there is somebody across town who really needs your help?”
For those wishing to volunteer or donate to the project, you can reach the Journey Methodist Church and Pastor Polk at [email protected] or 830-358-8708.
