Jim White: Housing project short $40,000

WASILLA — The project to build a house for double-amputee Jim White has made a lot of progress, but there’s still a lot to be done.

Israel Nelson, the local minister and real estate agent leading the charge, said that so far volunteers have put up walls and built a roof. But, somewhat disappointingly, White and his family will have to stay in their trailer for another winter.

Nelson and White came together after White told his story over two editions of the Frontiersman. The men found they shared an affliction with peripheral artery disease and a beef with the interplay between Social Security and Medicaid. Fighting that bureaucracy is part of what inspired Jim to tell his story.

Though the new home will be large enough to house Jim, his wife and his kids, the price is surprisingly low. Nelson said that the project has so far raised and spent more than $35,000 and needs an additional $40,000 to finish up the interior.

A lot of the project has been completed with volunteered time and donated materials. A couple of charities have stepped up with in-kind donations of light fixtures, insulation and other materials. Churches have also helped raise funds. The foundation was donated and so was the labor to install it. A septic tank manufacturer slashed its price in half and a local businessman paid the rest. A woman opened a $1,000 charge account for the project at Spenard Builders’ Supply using her credit card. Spenard has slashed its prices. Lowe’s has stepped up with donated doors and trim and employees to install them. The biggest donation to the project was $5,000, but most have been in the double-digits.

“We’ve done very, very well,” Nelson said.

But the effort needs more help. Nelson said he’s applying for a $10,000 grant he hopes will come through.

In the meantime, White still refuses to let his amputations keep him indoors.

“Jim had a little incident falling off his four-wheeler,” Nelson said. “He was hospitalized a couple of times.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.