Christmas came early for a Sherwood Park woman, surprised by the kindness of strangers Saturday.
Mary Martin saw a few people working on a house in her neighbourhood and thought she’d bring them a yogurt to share, hoping they might be able to help her with some home maintenance she desperately needed.
The contractors, Daniel Williams and Anthony Zorzetto of Zorzetto Williams Constuction – went over to see what she needed. They found more than they expected.
“We found all sorts of problems. Especially her deck. There was a sign on there that said you can’t even use it – and it was valid,” Zorzetto explained. “It was rotting away.”
The entrance to Martin’s mobile home is elevated four feet off the ground. The deck was her only access point, but even Martin was afraid to use it.
“I was worried about going through – and then nobody to help me. Nobody to hear me back here.”
A contractor had been called to the home before, but on Martin’s limited budget, there was minimal work done.
“She basically got someone to put some plywood on top of the boards and really just kind of crossed her fingers,” Zorzetto explained.
Martin recently lost her husband and an illness impacting her legs is preventing her from working. She lives off disability cheques.
Replacing an $8,000 deck was out of the question.
“She wasn’t able to afford a contractor to come do the deck for her – so that’s why we’re here.”
In a gesture of goodwill, the contractors decided they’d surprise Martin.
“They said I was getting a brand new deck. Like today. Wow!” Martin said the news left her stunned, crying and overwhelmed.
Williams and Zorzetto collected a few donations – but mostly paid for the materials themselves.
As for labour, they rounded up construction-savvy family and friends to volunteer their time to give Martin safe access to her house, once again.
One of the volunteers was carpenter Ryan Watson.
“You know, I think if I can help her at all, that’s why we’re here,” he explained. “We’re all living in this big globe together. It’s good to help each other.”
“It’s easy for us, though. Once you build a bunch of decks, there’s nothing to it.”
Normally, a project like this would run about $8,000 and take three days. But this deck-build was special.
“I’m just so grateful,” Martin exclaimed. “It’s Christmas, how many times over.”
The new deck will be her solace, come warmer weather.
“If nobody comes around, everyone is busy, I’m out here with a book – under my tree.”
The Good Samaritans wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Most people would take her situation and make it all negative – but she’s always smiling. She’s someone that really needs the help and deserves every minute of it,” Zorzetto said.
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