Miracle Makeover Gives Foster Home Energy Efficient New Look

On Saturday, February 16, beginning at 7:30 a.m., Lakeside will undertake removal of siding, fascia, gutters, numerous windows and shutters, replacing it all with an updated look for the home.

In a one-day makeover marathon, employees at Lakeside Exteriors, Inc. plan to give an entirely new look to an Angels’ Arms foster home in Ballwin.

The home has been described as “dissolving” by Mike Meyer, Angels’ Arms volunteer maintenance manager. “It is over 40 years old and the exterior is just falling apart. This is much more than just a new look. It’s a big boost to the energy efficiency of the home. New siding and windows will help with utility costs, and the new gutter system will also move rainwater more efficiently away from the home, preventing leaks around the basement.”

The Ballwin house is one of nine homes operated by Angels’ Arms, an organization dedicated to providing and supporting loving homes for foster children by keeping brothers and sisters together within a nurturing family until a forever home is found.

“We initially went to the home to see what we could do to help repair it,” said Matt Merrifield, president of Lakeside Exteriors, “Once we looked over the house, it was determined a lot more needed to be completed than repairs; many things needed to be replaced entirely.” Lakeside Exteriors will install all the materials. Supplies and other services were donated by Handyman Hardware, Wilken Seamless Guttering Inc., James Hardie, Lansing Building Products, IESI, Construction Supply and Sherlock Environmental Services.

As Pat Lanane, Angels’ Arms CFO, explained, “This is the type of project that is desperately needed, but could easily get put on the back burner. Funds from our budget must be delegated very carefully. Sometimes we just have to put off even needed repairs until things get even worse, like leaks develop or other pressing problems. Without Lakeside’s donations of materials and labor, this just wouldn’t be happening.”

For the foster parents, the miracle makeover is a dream come true. We are thrilled with the makeover we are receiving from Lakeside,” said Foster mother Phyllis Hackman. “We are looking forward to lower utilities as well as the two front bedrooms having the same level of warmth and temperature control as the rest of our home. Because of the age of the home with all original windows and siding we have a lot of drafty areas. We can't wait to see our home for the first time with all new exteriors.”

Due to the fact that this is a foster home, the exact location cannot be disclosed in the article, but if you would like to donate lunch/dinner to the crews working, photograph or film a segment of the makeover, please contact Jasmina Schue at 314-771-5868 or jasmina@angelsarms.org for the address and directions.