PLAIN CITY -- Crews trade off framing duties, in time for a crane to come in and place the trusses on the roof for a new house. A typical scene on a home-construction site, except this time all of the work has been donated.
Alicia Hoffman and her children were left with nothing when her husband, Jake, died in February. No house, no job, no life insurance.
Jake was diagnosed with cancer in January. He died about a month and a half later because his body could not process the chemotherapy at age 39. Alicia was a stay-at-home mom who worked only once a week.
Together, they cared for six children ranging from ages 2 to 15. The four younger children will live with Alicia.
"We're a blended family," Alicia said. "I have two, he had two and we had two together."
Over dinner one night, Nate Karras, of Karras Engineering and Kustom House Plans, tried to think of a way to help his longtime family friends.
Before Jake died, the Hoffmans were in the process of buying a foreclosed home. In the meantime, the family was renting.
Karras figured with a little help, he could build a home for the Hoffmans for less than it would cost to purchase an existing one.
"They decided they wanted to help me out so I can have a home instead of just renting an apartment," Alicia said.
The Karras family and the Hoffman family realized they knew a lot of people in the construction industry. Karras shared the family's story, and soon contractors began donating their time and materials.
"A lot of these guys don't have a lot of work to begin with, for them to be giving their time," Karras said. "They don't even know (the Hoffman family); for them to be eager to help us is good."
The house should be completed by the end of the year. Karras said, because the labor is donated, the project is beholden to the schedule of the contractors. So far, the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
The roof went up on the house just last week. About five different framing companies each donated a day to put up the walls. They have received breaks on city and utility fees as well.
"So far, knock on wood, we've had a lot of people step forward," Karras said.
Even with all of the donations, Alicia still will have a mortgage payment. Although a lot of the labor is donated, they will have to pay for most of the materials.
As construction continues, Alicia said she plans to help out in any way she can, including painting and tiling, but she is thankful for all of the help she has received from Karras and the community.
"It's great. It's very humbling," Alicia said. "It just goes to show, with my husband passing, how many people are willing to help in some ways. It's hard to receive, but all I can think is 'pay it forward.' I hope to help someone in the same situation one day."
Cash donations can be made to United Way of Northern Utah, 2955 Harrison Blvd. Ogden, UT 84403. Specify that the donations are for the Hoffman House. For additional information, contact Nate Karras at 801-786-0849 or kustomnk@aol.com.
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