A Christmas Story: Caring, giving and doing -- a perfect storm of generosity

Atop a three-story building, Ronnie Martinez was finishing a roofing job on Bingham near Armitage when he and his fiancée Wilma del Ville thought they saw an opportunity for another job. The roof of a two-story cottage appeared to be so stressed that it probably would not withstand the first snowstorm.

"When Ronnie went to speak with the owner, he found a handicapped lady who was in dire need of getting her roof fixed but couldn't afford it. Her name is Selma Eckard. So Ronnie and I decided that we were going to get her roof done," explained Wilma. "We are not rich but Ronnie has been doing so good, we can afford to help someone."

"We went down the street a couple of weeks ago and knocked on every door. A couple of people were willing to help with materials or bring us coffee...some slammed doors in our face...but we were determined."

So begins a story of stories that started decades ago. Stories of good times, bad times, determination, courage, generosity and heart. Stories that emphasize what community is all about on Chicago's near northwest side....

When Ronnie was released from a 15-year jail sentence in June 2010, he became a client of the Latino Cultural Exchange Coalition (LCEC), a group that works with youth-at-risk as well as ex-offenders of all ages. His role changed to mentor and in January 2012 will receive his parole release  papers.

A roofer for 25 years, his skills have served him well as he has worked to form a business, Your Neighborhood Roofer. "It's been hard, its been a struggle, but I've been blessed. With the grace of God and the help of LCEC, anything is possible. I am positive and good things are happening in my life and we decided to give back to the community. At least once a year, we want to give to someone in need," Ronnie explained.

He took the roof project to Jose Pizarro, LCEC's Exec. Dir, and Maximo Cerda, LCEC's Assoc. Exec. Dir. for their help. Together they produced a proposal with specifics about the roofing project including its expected costs.  Next step was Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno's 1st Ward Night. Familiar with LCEC's work and concerned about the welfare of one of his constituents, the Alderman along with State Senator Iris Martinez, 20th District, covered the cost of materials after Home Depot cut their cost by approximately one-third.

Within a week, a seven-person volunteer team completed the roofing project that will keep Selma Gerstung Mihalo Eckard safe and dry in her house, built before the street level was raised in the early 1900s.

What is Selma's story?
One of 14 children, Selma  was born in Pennsylvania to a mother who "took chemicals."  The only hospital that could help the young child (approximately three to five years of age at the time) was Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago on the edge of Oak Park. She lived there for a couple of years while her father started building a home in Fox Lake for the family.

At the age of nine in 1961, she was taken in by a foster family who lived in the area of Kedzie and Wabansia. She was with her foster family through grade school and then high school at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Noble Square.

In 1977 Selma began a 22-year career at ABCO Building Supply. In the day, ABCO, which included buildings and land from 1519 N. Milwaukee thru 1531 or 35, was the rehabbers go-to-place for building materials and advice.*

Another woman who worked there was Estelle. Selma and her second husband, Keith, would take her grocery shopping and generally help her with chores. After she was accosted on the way home from work  one night, Selma and Keith took her into their home.

Elderly and unmarried with no family, Estelle's health deteriorated after the incident and she passed away, willing Selma "a lot of money." So in 1989, the mother of two daughters purchased Adolph's Bar, 2013 W. North Ave. She renamed the bar Estelle's in honor of her friend and benefactor.

Selma  was actively involved with the business until her second husband's death in 1996. No longer able to continue alone, she sold it. The proceeds provided enough money to pay off her debts and purchase her home.

She was able to babysit for a pair of two and four-year old boys but she eventually had to go on disability because of leg problems that began in 1998. Three years ago she had to decide whether to have surgery on her right arm or lose use of it. A fifth break of that arm required more than natural bone healing.

A soft spoken gentle woman, she appears reluctant to ask for help. "I've never used all the stuff I could [referring to disability monies], I don't do that."  In her mid-fifties, a few years ago, she realized that her mobility had decreased, making getting in and out of her house increasingly more difficult.  At about the same time, she learned about a City program that will provide services to replace entrance and egress points for the disabled. Like everything else she has faced, getting into the program required determination.

In order to sign up, eligible people must call 311 at midnight on January 1. Sounds simple but you have to hope that someone will answer the phone. This year she gave up at 5 a.m. but a friend of hers continued to call for her and eventually she was able to register. Months later she found out that sometime between next April and October 2012, her front-step structure as well as the steps from the sidewalk down to her lawn will be replaced with lower rise steps.

"With the help of my daughter, I can get down the front steps and up to the sidewalk but when I come back, I have to come in the back and up internal steps.

Three angels got Selma through to adulthood--the unknown person who  took care of all her medical bills at Shriners until she was 16 and her foster parent. In the last year a few others have been added to her list.

"I never knew who it was who paid for all my medical expenses and was only able to write a letter at the end," she explains with a sense of wistfulness.

"I feel so good about the help from Ronnie, Wilma, their team and the Alderman and State Senator. This is making a big difference for me. "

As 2011 ends, Selma is under a new roof, in a new exercise pro gram that will help her regain and maintain mobility, being seen by medical professionals who come to her home monthly to monitor other health challenges and confident that by the end of 2012 she will be able to get in and out of her home more easily.

"I never look at what has happened to me in my life as really bad. There are a lot worse things that happen to others," says Selma. "My foster mother was strong and said that 'can't' is spelled try. That is what I taught my daughters and the kids that I have taken care of."

What is Wilma's story?
A mother of four by the age of 21, Wilma del Ville knows about challenges. With her fourth child just six months old, her husband died. In Humboldt Park in 1980, Wilma worked a lot of jobs despite public aid to keep her family together.

"I was young and wild in in '87 when I first met Ronnie. We dated but it ended and we went our separate ways, " explains Wilma. In the early 90s she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)  and put on disability.

"In cold weather my muscles freeze up and in hot weather I am light headed. So spring and fall are best for me, but we don't have a lot of that weather here," Wilma says laughing.

"When Ronnie came back to the City, he tried to find me. It took him two months, but he did it. I decided, a little reluctantly, to see him. We talked and started dating and our wedding is scheduled for July 20th.

"I am so blessed to have Ronnie, my children and grandchildren in my life. Though some days are difficult to get out of bed, they inspire me. There are ups and downs in life but you can't give up on humanity."

Her effervescence and positive attitude is infectious and her interest in helping others is inspiring.

 

What is LCEC's story?
Begun in 1982, Latino Cultural Exchange Coalition is part of a larger coalition in the Humboldt Park community centered around the enhancement and development of Reentry services and initiatives for ex-offenders.

"I've known these guys [referring to Pizarro, Cerda and Martinez] since before I was alderman," said Moreno. "I think that their good work too often goes unnoticed or is not as noticed as it should be."

"This [the roof project] is proof positive that people have the ability to change and do change," explained Pizarro.

What can you do in the community?

No act of kindness is ever too small, be it to brighten someone's spirit with your smile or kind words that nourish their soul. So too, no act can ever be too great if it comes from your heart.

In times where most people are stretched beyond their comfort zone financially, volunteer wise and/or psychologically, we can all do just a little more. The rewards can be beyond financial value.

As Jose and Maximo from the LCEC said, "It is never about how a story begins but how it ends."

*In the 90s, graffiti on the north facing exterior wall of the ABCO complex read: "Yuppies OUT -- The Natives are Hostile"

 

Note: Please let us know about other wonderful community people and their stories so we can continue to spread the word about the power of community.