Volunteers repair widow's home

BONNERS FERRY — Nancy Thornbrugh of Bonners Ferry on Saturday had volunteers swarm her home to spend the day making house repairs and improvements at no charge.

Scott Whitman owner of NBR  Home Services and his crew of volunteers accomplished home repair projects which included floor repair, cracked bath tub repair, transplanted trees that were too close to the house, landscaping beautification and a pond installation.

Thornbrugh husband of 44 years died unexpectedly last year. 

“After being married for 44 years to my high school sweetheart and have him just here one day and gone the next, it is overwhelming to do all the things he used to do for us around the house,” said Thornbrugh.

“What these people did was such a blessing to me and this project is such a wonderful thing and I can’t thank them enough.”

 NBR Home Services performs one Community Service project a month for a North Idaho homeowner in need. 

"I expected a lot more nominations but instead we received offers of help from people and businesses in the community that was really humbling,” Whitman said. “There are so many good people out there wanting to help.”

 "After seeing the press coverage last month, Erin Nagle and her children came all the way from Spokane County to help with this project,” Whitman said. “We had other volunteers from Athol, Priest River, Bonners Ferry as well as an attorney from Bellevue, Wash. who was in town visiting her sister.” 

Local Businesswoman, Jayceen Swisher, owner of The Badger’s Den Café and Latte in Bonner Ferry heard of Whitman’s project on Saturday and donated lunch to the group.

“It’s great to be able to participate and make a difference in my own community, even in a small way” said Swisher.

NBR Home Services’ project is ongoing monthly and while they are no longer taking nominations for homeowners they are taking donations from businesses for supplies and help from volunteers.

Whitman hopes that the impact of his company’s project will continue to ripple outward and more people will step forward and help others in their own communities.

To learn more about NBR Home Services visit: www.nbrhomeservices.com For information, call Scott Whitman at 208-818-1323.