Lumber needed to help rebuild home

PALMER — An account has been set up for the benefit of Paul and Melissa Felthauser, whose home on Winding Brook Loop off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway was destroyed by fire July 6.

Paul Felthauser said donations have been trickling in all week.

“People have been pretty nice,” he said.

After the fire, he said the Red Cross put them up in a local hotel for four nights, which gave them time to collect their thoughts and put together a plan.

He said the short-term plan is to improve a shed on the property to use as a starter home.

Felthauser said if he can get lumber donated, a local contractor has offered to donate his crew’s labor for a week to make the shed livable.

Already one man from Wasilla has donated some leftover lumber, he said. Felthauser said he hopes others may have spare lumber to share, too.

Perhaps the most unique — and thoughtful — gift the family has received for its eventual new home is a baseball signed by the team from Castroville, Texas, that won the Todd Ryan Memorial American Legion tournament in Wasilla last weekend.

“It’s something to put in our new house,” Felthauser said.

People may donate at any Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union and should specify Account No. 139812-ME.