Volunteers unite to take improvements beyond roof repair on 100-year-old home
What was supposed to be a simple roof repair to fix heavy leaking turned into an entire exterior makeover for Louis and Pam Duncan’s home, as the Smithville Police Association and Dart Frog LLC volunteered for the job over the July Fourth weekend.
“I was walking around the yard, talking to God, when my oldest daughter, Ylonda, asked what was wrong,” said Pam. “I told her I’m tired of this house. When it rains it pours in this old house.”
The 100-year-old house, at Texas 95 and MLK Boulevard, is home to its fourth generation.
After watching her mother sink into a funk following a health decline and heavy rains in April and May, 31-yearold Ylonda Duncan contacted the Smithville Police Department’s community policing officer, Glenn Addison, in June, worried about her mother. Addison got approvals and got to work.
Coordinated by Addison under the police association — the volunteer organization of the Police Department — the project was set for a roof repair to stop the leaks.
It took off with enthusiastic help from Dart Frog’s owners Zachary and Whitney Myers, who gathered donations of roofing materials, exterior paint, air conditioning units and landscaping materials, including four palettes of grass and flowers, before handling a large portion of the labor themselves.
The Myers did the intensive tin roof repair and reseal.
Brian Ellison of Dart Frog also spent his time on the roof on sealing and cutting intrusive tree limbs, and the Myers’ sons were on hand to help out on the ground.
With limited personnel available from the police association due to the holiday, Police Chief Michael Maugere spent most of the weekend painting the house, and his dispatcher Sandy Sepulveda-Mott joined in most of the ground work.
Other officers helping out included Addison, Lisa Cleere and Detective Jad Hubbard.
The improvements were a community effort. Family members helped with numerous projects, Everett Lorenz of Eagle 96 Electric installed the AC units and lighting, and Kate Temby of Grandma’s House Nursery used her landscaping skills to place donated plants in the flower beds.
Curious about the activity, Jim Horton of the Community Gardens stopped by and helped clear out the flower pots in front of the MLK sign.
The project included repairing and resealing the roof, painting the exterior, replacing three window AC units, yard cleanup including trash removal, replanting the front flower beds, laying grass, uncovering a historic brick walkway and general beautification efforts.