BREAKING A PROMISE
Foundation withdraws offer of home makeover for family
EXETER TOWNSHIP >> Less than two months ago, Elisabeth Laskowski was wiping tears of joy from her eyes.
She and her husband, Paul, got the news their Exeter Township home was selected for a muchneeded free home makeover from the HBA Restoring Hope Foundation.
Elisabeth was choking back tears again Monday, only this time, they were tears of disappointment. The Laskowskis learned they would not be receiving the anticipated home makeover after all.
The all-volunteer, nonprofit foundation was forced to withdraw its offer, the Laskowskis were informed in a certified letter.
“The Board has met and, due to anticipated insufficient staffing and volunteers for this project, we must withdraw our offer to make improvements to your home,” reads the letter, dated July 2 and signed by Diane Salks, chairwoman of the organization.
Contacted Monday, Salks declined to comment.
The family was notified by email that they would be receiving a certified letter, Elisabeth said, but not told of its contents.
“We just got the certified letter today,” she said, her voice breaking. “It is a bit of a shock.”
The Laskowskis were chosen from among the dozens of mid
dle-income working families to apply, Salks said in May, noting that applications are reviewed by the foundation’s board of directors and narrowed to a finalist based on need and feasibility.
The goal of the organization is to help those who have fallen on tough times or have a special need by “giving a hand up, not a handout.”
When an Exeter Township fire engine pulled up in front of the Laskowskis home May 22, they were surprised and delighted to learn they had been selected for the nonprofit’s ninth makeover.
In the ensuing weeks, they let themselves dream of a remodeled kitchen and refurbished bedrooms for their six children ranging in age from 3 to 11, the youngest four adopted and two with special needs.
The couple have owned their house off East Neversink Road for 10 years. In that time, they addressed energy-saving repairs, such as a new heating system, insulation and new windows.
Paying for those expenses and a used van to accommodate their large brood made remodeling the kitchen, where the family spends much of its time, economically unfeasible.
“I was really looking forward to a new kitchen,” Elisabeth said, “one with doors on the cabinets.”
On the advice of Restoring Hope representatives, she said, the family began weeding through household items and furnishings. Keepers were stored out of the way in anticipation of the nine-day build previously scheduled for September.
“We have things packed in boxes,” she said, “and we started selling furniture with the assumption that things were going to be replaced.”
Elisabeth said she and Paul understand Restoring Hope is a nonprofit foundation and all time and materials are donated, including that of licensed professionals.
Still, the news has been a blow, she said.
Though deeply disappointed, Elisabeth said, the family has faith that things will work out for the best.
“I was really looking forward to a new kitchen, one with doors on the cabinets.”
— Elisabeth Laskowski