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Remodeling Community
Supports Carlson Family
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VIDEO
Tall,
lanky and quick with a smile, remodeler Eric Carlson was
considered a leader in his industry.
Having served as Chairperson for the Remodelers
Council and as Vice President of the Homebuilders
Association of Greater Des Moines, Carlson was revered
by his colleagues.
In a competitive local remodeling climate,
Eric, along with other council members, often found
themselves bidding against each other for projects like
new kitchens and baths, and home additions.
This past February Eric was diagnosed with stage
4 lung cancer. A
devoted husband and father of four, Eric suddenly found
himself battling for his life.
A garage addition Eric had begun with his teenage
son Ben, and dreams of finishing the family’s basement
would have be put on hold.
Members of the Remodelers Council made the
decision to finish the garage and the basement for the
Carlsons. There
would be no charge for labor and the call for donated
materials went out.
The response was incredible. What seemed like
something out of the movie, It’s
a Wonderful Life, this community of remodelers
stepped up to the plate for the Carlson family.  Night
after night, weekend after weekend, council members made
up of professional remodelers and associates, traveled
to Winterset to complete the garage, and renovate the
basement. Two
bedrooms, a bathroom and family room, all necessary
spaces for this family of six, were finished in the
lower level.
“Within the Remodelers Council of Greater Des
Moines there exists a unique sense of fellowship.
Members felt strongly that assisting the Carlson
family with their basement renovation was a heartfelt
commitment worth making.
Recognition of Eric’s leadership and respect
within our industry goes without saying, but the
combined efforts of membership during tough economic
times is a testament to his friendship and influence.”
said Chaden Halfhill, current Chairperson of the
Remodelers Council.
The project is estimated at a value of $60,000 to
$80,000. A
benefit dinner/silent auction for the family was also
organized, and the remodelers offered generous bids on
auction items.
The event was a huge success, and the money will
go to the Carlson family to help off set Eric’s
medical expenses. The
benefit dinner featured Eric’s daughter Emily singing
a solo, his son Ben singing with a quartet, and all
three daughters, Emily, Amy and Grace, performing a
dance in honor of their Dad.
One week after the event, Eric passed away
peacefully at the Taylor House in Des Moines.
If you would like to help the Carlson’s,
memorial contributions may be made to the Eric R.
Carlson fund, Farmers and Merchants State Bank, P.O Box
29, Winterset, Iowa 50273.
Materials were generously donated by:
Cook Plumbing, Ferguson Enterprises, Kaufman
Construction, Kinzler Companies, Beisser Lumber, Carpet
One, Pella Doors and Windows, Minnesota Cabinets, Polk
County Plumbing and Heating, Digital Residence, Plumb
Supply, Anchored Walls, Granite, Tile and Marble, Marble
Works, Hardi Plank Siding, Trost Construction, SJM
Construction, Remodelers Councils of the HBA of Greater
Des Moines. Discounted
materials donated by Gilcrest Jewett Lumber Company,
Koopman Insulation, Wayne Dalton and Kitchens and
Fireplaces.
Labor donated by:
Barry Elings, Devan Kaufman and Kaufman
Construction employees, Paul Ferguson, Dave Dearden,
Cook Plumbing, Deaver Electric, The Finished Edge, Lazer
Electric, Cary Thompson, Midwest Heating and Cooling,
Rollie Clarkson, Greg Arganbright, Chaden Halfhill,
Sharon Rooney, Anchored Walls, SJM
Construction, Complete Plumbing (Jeff Garton) and
numerous volunteers from the Winterset Community.
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