Strickland Family Home Project - See photos of the project
 The Story
In 2007, with the help of colleagues in the construction industry, GR&S, Inc. took on the project of rebuilding a home for the Strickland family.
In September 2006, Robert Curtis McCarty lost his life in a fire while rushing his fiancée, Lauren Massey, and two others out of a burning house on Jordan Woods Drive in Raleigh, NC. The home was owned by Pamela Strickland (Lauren’s mother). Lauren and Curtis were living with her mother until they could get a place of their own. After losing Curtis and everything they owned, the family moved into a small apartment in Garner with hopes of rebuilding their house.
As they were trying to sort out insurance issues, they were told that the house had to be torn down because technically it was an “abandoned” home. To make things harder, they learned that the insurance money they would receive for the house was not enough to cover all the damages sustained in the fire. They lost everything in the fire.
For more details about the fire in September 2006, you can read this article from The News & Observer.
Project Status - Complete
GR&S, Inc. presented the family with the keys to their new home on February 2, 2008.
How GR&S Got Involved
- In April 2007, Steve Raper, vice president of GR&S, Inc., was talking to Lauren, who is a caregiver for his children, and learned that she and her mother were facing many challenges as they tried to rebuild a new home.
- After learning about all the obstacles, Steve told Lauren about his business in commercial contracting and offered to help. He committed his time to coordinate the project along with resources and labor from GR&S, Inc. The company does not focus on residential work, but Steve has some experience with residential projects from the past.
- Steve Raper and GR&S donated their time to rebuild the house and worked closely with the family to make sure the cost of necessary materials did not exceed funding available to them from their insurance. When possible, donated materials were secured and used to reduce expenses.
- Steve helped recruit the time and labor of subcontractors he works with or knows through his professional network. Some donated everything (labor, parts, etc.), and others donated their time and labor.
Rebuilding A Home:
- The new house was built on the foundation of the old house but was designed differently and tailored to fit the family’s needs.
- The new house was completed in February 2008.
Ways You Can Still Help
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