Every time Cliff Schrauger listens to his Joe Cocker album and hears Cocker’s song, ‘With a Little Help from My Friends,? it has a special meaning to him.
‘I think of the community every time I hear that song,? he said. ‘That’s how we are getting by. It’s from friends, family, overwhelming love and support, the grace of God and how He’s used the community. That’s how we are getting by.?
‘I don’t know how we would survive without their love and help,? Cliff added.
Cliff and his wife, Vicki, were on the site of their future home last week, along with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh, representatives from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC) and several other individuals involved with the project.
Frigid temperatures and falling snow didn’t stop the group from meeting at the site where hammers continue to swing and construction of the house progresses.
‘Thanks to all the people that donated,? Patterson said to the crowd, adding that the MRCC’s Labor Management Productivity and Training Committee, under the leadership of Doug Buckler, recently donated $20,000 to the Schrauger Home Project.
Patterson noted that sub-zero temperatures haven’t prevented volunteers from the MRCC, who are donating their time and skill to construct the home, from continuing work on the house.
‘I think what we have here today is not only government, good government, behaving wonderfully, we have great union, great carpenters, great cement contractors, all through the line, everybody in the community has come forward for a great cause,? said Narsh. ‘It’s the community helping, partnering together to say that ‘we care, we love you.??
‘When something so tragic like (this) occurs, it’s government, private industries and neighbors coming together for a good thing, and the weather’s horrible, but I’ll tell you what, it’s pretty warm right here, right now,? he added as the snow continued to fall.
‘We appreciate all the work that has gone on here,? Vicki said, noting that the family is doing well.
Son Stephen is back at school at Saginaw Valley State University, daughter Kristina is back in North Carolina with her husband (she was married in December) and son David is continuing his recovery in Texas with his wife (they got married right after Thanksgiving).
‘The empty house is hard,? Cliff said. ‘We expected to be going to events at school.?
‘It is fun on Facebook to stay in touch with Lake Orion kids,? he added, noting that there are several sites dedicated to the two boys that contain stories and memories. ‘It’s a way to stay in touch with Josh’s friends and Timothy’s friends.?
Stay with The Review for continued updates on the family and their new home.