Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Neighbors helping neighbors is a foundation block of American society. Saturday that community spirit was very evident at the Mentone home of Mitch and Pam Hunsberger.
The Hunsbergers were forced from their home at 3895 Viking Drive in Mentone when the rear wall of their basement collapsed last July. After nearly two months of trying to get the mess cleaned up and determining a way to pay for the repairs, friends, coworkers and good samaritans came to the Hunsbergers' aid Saturday.
Fifteen members of the maintenance department at Chore-Time Brock showed up bright and early Saturday morning to begin the long and dirty process of getting the Hunsbergers' home back into a habitable condition.
Using excavating equipment - and their bare hands - the work crew set about making things right at the Hunsberger homestead.
The effort was organized by Chore-Time maintenance supervisor Gary Tenney. The Hunsbergers are both employees of the Milford-based agricultural supply company.
"This has always been a company that has cared for its people," Tenney said. "The company is providing a hopper tub for trash and the I-beams to support the house."
Other area businesses contributing materials or services to the cleanup and repair effort included Liberty Waste Inc., which donated the use of a trash dumpster; Wabash Electric, for contributing the rewiring; Art's Excavating, which donated the use of the excavating equipment; and HP Products, which donated the cleaning equipment.
Tenney said he was still seeking a building supplier to donate the cement to rebuild the basement wall.
Clyde Sexton, a Chore-Time employee and volunteer, said the effort by himself and his fellow employees are what he likes about working for Chore-Time.
"I've been at CTB for five years. I have never worked for another company that's this giving," Sexton said.
Those sentiments were echoed by Pastor Doug Fritzel of Warsaw Bible Church, who was also on hand helping with the cleanup and inventorying of the Hunsbergers' property.
Chore-Time is a great company. one that really has a heart," Fritzel said.
Pam Hunsberger said words can't really express the gratitude she and Mitch feel for the help they've received.
"These people are angels," she said. "The guys have been out every night since Tuesday pumping out the basement, bringing equipment. I can't tell them 'thank you' enough."
