Up until Wednesday, May 14, a make-over was new concept to Pat Tapper.
But thanks to the generosity of realtor Diane Sparks-Cassidy, Prudential Power Play Realty, and Launie Morgan, manager of Mark Anthony Academy of Cosmetology, the single grandmother received a royal treatment.
“It’s different,†she said, adding with a laugh, “It’s hard to be humble!â€
While Pat received some pampering, her home in Aldergrove was undergoing a similar treatment through the Acts of Kindness (AOK) Extreme Home Repair project.
Each year, volunteers transform the home of a local person or family facing difficult circumstances related to their housing and resources.
This marks the 11th year that the Aldergrove Seventh-day Adventist Church has been refurbishing and restoring the homes of well-deserved recipients.
This year’s recipient is Pat, who through the years has struggled with a number of health issues and limited funds.
These factors have hampered her ability to maintain her house, which she moved into in 1981, when it was a year old.
Despite this, she has managed to raise her grandson Chase since he was an infant. Pat has also provided shelter when needed for her teenaged granddaughter, Crystal.
At 5 p.m. on Victoria Day Monday, May 19, Pat and Chase saw their newly refurbished home for the first time in 18 days.
Pat and Chase have been staying about two blocks away from their house since May 2, and Pat said it “feels like a long while.â€
Pat promised she wouldn’t look at the home while it’s being renovated, in person or online, and she’s kept her word.
“I’m anxious, a little nervous,†she said, about the reveal.
Pat said she is “more than thankful†for the generosity of the Aldergrove Seventh-day Adventist Church and sponsors, and the efforts of all the volunteers.
As of May 15, the AOK team’s wish list has dwindled. Still needed are:• A new, small, white counter microwave;
• a small garden shed; and
• cash donations to cover the cost of sod, a couch and the kitchen appliances. Donors can receive tax-deductible receipts for amounts donated. To donate, call the Aldergrove Seventh-day Adventist Church at 604-856-5830.
As for the personal make-over, this is the fourth year that Sparks-Cassidy has funded this treatment for a recipient of the annual AOK Extreme Home Repair project.
The makeover included a massage, pedicure, manicure, and facial hair cut, colour, and make-up.
“When I first found out about AOK I thought, ‘hey, the house gets a makeover, why doesn’t the owner get a makeover?’†Sparks-Cassidy explained.
SPONSORS RECOGNIZED
AOK sponsors this year include:
Building/home Sponsors
A-1 glass, Action Environmental Services Inc., Aldergrove Animal Hospital, Aldergrove Mini Storage, Aldergrove SDA Church Members, Alpha Carpet & Duct Cleaning, All Seasons Garden Center Ltd., Ames Tile & Stone Ltd., Arts Nursery Ltd., Basalite Concrete Products, Benjamin Moore, Big Steel Box – Abbotsford, Broco Auto Glass – Langley, Burton Architectural Mouldings, Canadian Tire – Langley, Captain Albert & S.S. Millings, Cloverdale Disposal Ltd., Colorific Custom Prefinishers Ltd., Corona Gas, Country Lumber Ltd., Curtis Door Store, Diamond Bar Equipment, Double J Construction, Dryco, E.B. Horsman & Son, Euro Artistic Metals Ltd., Euro-Rite Cabinets, Eze Rent It Centre, Fits Right Industries, Four Seasons Insulation Ltd., Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, Fraser Valley Treasurers, G. Dauncey Contracting, Gough Electric – Langley, Greg’s Appliance & Refrigeration, Grove Cedar Ltd., Guillevin International Co. – Abbotsford, Home Hardware – Aldergrove, Hutchinson’s Nursery Sales Ltd., Lafarge Canada Inc. , Langley Decoration Centre – Benjamin Moore, Litespan Electric Ltd., Lynden Door, Inc., Mangone Construction, McBurney Junction Design Centre, McCrann’s Carpet Services Inc., Mvac/Cyclovac, Northrise Construction, Nufloors – Langley, OK Tire – Langley, Otter Co-op, Potenk Corporation, R.E. MacDonald Stoves & Stones Ltd., Renaissance Home, Restwell Mattress Co. Ltd., Rethink Homes Interior Design, Revamp Furniture Garage, Ryan Frisk at KSR Systems, Scagliola Stone Studios, Schafer Contracting, Star Rentals – Langley, Steve’s Custom Home Lighting Ltd., Stor-More Closets & Blinds Ltd., Styles Electrical, Supersave Group, Target Products Ltd., The Brick, The Passionate Home, The Rustic Collection, Universal Plumbing Supply/Artistic Baths, Van Bugnum Landscaping, VersaTile Flooring, West Central Forest Products Ltd., Wholesale Blind Factory, Wilway Lumber Sales Inc., and Windsor Plywood
Food And Beverage Sponsors
Adventist Book Centre, Bob’s Bar n’ Grill, Bonetti Freezer Meats, Charlie’s Marketplace IGA, Hamilton Farms, JD Farms, Milsean Shoppe, Panago Pizza, Premium Springs Water Co., Safeway – Aldergrove, Scoop-N-Save Ltd., Sugar Plum Bakery, Tomo Sushi
Media And Miscellaneous Sponsors
A Dog’s Life K9 Centre, Aldergrove Credit Union, Aldergrove Star, All In Order Suites, Cranky’s Bike Shop, Diane Sparks-Cassidy/Prudential Powerplay Realty, Langley Advance, Lianna True Photography, Mark Anthony Academy of Cosmetology, Sports Zone, Township of Langley, and VOS Hockey Development Inc.