When Layne Mims’ Prattville home was destroyed by a tornado Feb. 17, 2008, he was devastated. Without insurance coverage, he was unsure of where to turn.
“I didn’t know where to go or what to do,” said Mims, who is in his 70s. “Someone suggested I go to The Church of Living Water, because they had people helping there. I went in and asked them (a United Way representative) if I was in the right place, and they said, ‘You are. We’ve been waiting for you.’”
The community banded together and — thanks to donations by The Salvation Army, the Red Cross, United Way, Autauga Baptist Association and its churches and other local congregations, organizations and individuals — raised almost all of the money to rebuild Mims’ home.
Mims still gets choked up when he recalls the help he received in such a time of need.
“What really makes you feel good is the helpful attitude of everyone after the storm,” said Mims, a member of Prattville Wesleyan Church. “It’s nice to have some hope, you know? That’s really what you need.”
Once the financial pieces began coming together, retired builder Greg Strecker of Boone’s Chapel Baptist Church, Prattville, came onto the scene as project director to help develop plans for the house. Although the new house is being built on the old one’s foundation, the design has been updated to help it fit in with the neighboring houses.
“It’s beautiful — there’s crown molding everywhere,” Mims said. “I’m looking very forward to living in this home. It’s better than the one that was there before.”
The rebuild, which began this spring, is already nearing completion. Strecker estimated it would be totally done by June 15 at the very latest.
“People ride by here and can’t believe the project is getting completed so fast,” he said. “We’ve managed to keep the project clean, and you can’t even tell work is being done from the outside of the house.”
According to Bill Morgan, director of missions for Autauga Association, this project is a testimony to Prattville’s community-focused spirit. The bricks were donated by a local company, as was the new roof — both the shingles and the labor. Morgan’s son prepared the simple landscape design, and several members of First Baptist Church, Prattville, will assist with the landscaping.
“The community realized there was a man who needed some help, and they reached out to him,” Morgan said. “We’ve had tremendous community support over this. There have been no government funds expended — it was all money designated to rebuild this house.”
Strecker, who has volunteered as a Habitat for Humanity builder for eight years, said the cooperative atmosphere surrounding this rebuild has been remarkable. Generally groups have to go out and solicit to raise money for projects like this one, but in Mims’ case, people were anxious to contribute their time and money alike.
“He lost his home just at the time he should be retiring,” Strecker said. “He’s lucky to live in a community where people are willing to open their pocketbooks and open their hearts.”
As for Mims, he is blown away by his neighbors’ support.
“God has been very good to me,” Mims said. “I’m very blessed. I give all the credit to Him. I know where my blessings come from.”
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