Lake Orion Parents Struck by Tragedy Get Fresh Start with Keys to Mortgage-Free New Home
Pontiac, Mich. - Sept. 30, 2008 - Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Clarkston builder Forrest Milzow today presented the keys to a new home to Cliff and Vicki Schrauger, a year and a day after they lost two sons in a fatal traffic accident.
A third son was seriously injured from wounds suffered on Father's Day, 2007, while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. The family had also lost their home due to foreclosure several months before the military injury.
"No one should experience the kind of personal loss this family has," said Patterson, who did not know the family before he heard of the tragedy. "And then to lose your house on top of that is almost too much to bear. The community was extremely generous, embracing the Schraugers and helping give them a fresh start when they needed it most. Everyone associated with the project should be very proud."
The family was given the completely furnished mortgage-free home with no strings attached. The Schrauger Home Project, as it is called, was funded completely by donations. No taxpayer money was used to build the home.
During the celebration, Patterson thanked the hundreds of contributors who made donations of cash, goods or services to make the project possible, especially Milzow, who headed up construction on the project. About 70 major donors contributed to the project. In all, more than 300 people were invited. Plaques were given to many of the donors as thanks for their contributions.
Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh arranged David's leave with U.S. Army officials and worked behind the scenes to make the home a reality.
"Without the tireless efforts of Forrest Milzow and Chief Narsh, this project would never have been completed," Patterson said. "I'm especially gratified the chief was able to get David home to be with his family today."
Cliff Schrauger said he had driven by the home many times during its construction, shaking his head in disbelief at the outpouring of community support for his family. Words of thanks seemed inadequate to express the true level of gratitude his family has for all those who helped with the project.
"This has been one of the most energizing acts of community love I have ever seen in my life," Cliff said. "There truly is good in people."
Brothers Joshua, 17, and Timothy, 14, were killed in a traffic accident in Clinton County on Sept. 29, 2007. They were on their way to meet some friends at a sesquicentennial farm where an annual party was taking place. Both boys were students at Lake Orion High School. David, 24, a U.S. Army specialist, was seriously injured when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. He suffered leg, arm, spine and lung injuries. David has undergone more than 50 surgeries and more are planned, his father said.
The Schraugers have another son, Stephen, who is a college student in Michigan, and a daughter, Kristina, who is a school teacher in North Carolina.
Instrumental in the construction of the home were members of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, who gave their time and labor, along with a sizeable cash donation, to complete the home.
"Along with the MRCC's Labor Management Productivity & Training committee, which donated $20,000 to this project, and Jim Cowhy, owner of Cowhy-Hayes Construction - a MRCC contractor, the MRCC was more than willing to step up, and donate our expertise and skills to construct this new house for the Schrauger family," said Douglas C. Buckler, MRCC executive secretary/treasurer. "Truly, this is a noble and worthy cause that benefits a family in need. Nothing will ever replace the loss of Cliff and Vicki's two sons, but we hope that the Schrauger's can call this new house a home for many years to come."
Patterson gave special recognition to Bishop International Airport in Flint and Air Tran Airways for providing roundtrip airfare to David Schrauger and his wife, Kathryn, from his base in San Antonio, Texas, to surprise his parents.
