THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220183
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Clarice Whitfield watches in gratitude as a group of people - some of whom she does not even know - repair her house.
Most of her modest Everetts Road home was destroyed by fire Aug. 2. Soon after, the Chuckatuck community got fired up and came to her rescue.
The family needs all the help it can get. The house was uninsured.
Some cash has been raised, some materials donated. Most importantly, free labor is being donated.
Leaders of the effort are Oakland Christian Church and the Chuckatuck Ruritan Club.
A recent Saturday found seven people on the scene, working on the house.
``We were there most of the day,'' said John W. Sammons, a club member and principal of Oakland Elementary School, where Whitfield, 58, is cafeteria manager.
Her husband, Richard, 57, is disabled.
``There's quite a bit of work left. The finishing date depends on the number of volunteers and the weather. When it's cold, it's hard to get people to volunteer,'' Sammons said. ``We hope it will be completed by spring . .
When the fire broke out, the Whitfields were in the house with their daughter, Venise, and 5-year-old granddaughter, Drechir. Two other grandchildren were playing outside.
``When I saw the fire,'' Clarice said, ``I told Drechir to get out of the house.''
Until their home is once again ready for occupancy, Clarice and her husband are living with their son, Richard Jr., in downtown Suffolk.
``The Whitfields have been a part of the community of Chuckatuck,'' Sammons said. ``At least two generations have been.''
To get them back in the community, a lot of sawing, hammering and so on is going on.
``Recently, we put up some beams,'' Sammons said. ``The first Saturday we worked, we pulled the old beams down. About one-fifth of the roof had to be replaced. Two rooms were completely gutted and have to be rebuilt. Everything inside and out has to be repaired - extensive smoke damage.''
``All the wiring has to be done,'' Whitfield said. ``Most everything inside has to be redone. We lost the kitchen, the utility room and part of the dining room.''
The Ruritan Club has been a catalyst in helping the family get back on track - legwork and a $100 donation. Saunders Supply Co. donated some materials, and friends and family are pitching in.
``I've gotten some donations from private individuals who don't even know me,'' Whitfield said. ``They're just concerned people who want to help.''
The PTA held a car wash and bake sale Oct. 14, raising more than $1,000. Several teachers and assistants worked on that project.
``It rained all day the day before the car wash and the day of the wash until about noon,'' Sammons said. ``The sun came out just before the wash began.''
While her friends and neighbors work on her house, Whitfield carries them some food. More comes from Oakland Christian Church and Friendship Church of God and Christ.
``There was no insurance at all on the house,'' she said. ``When we get ready to go back in - we'll take out insurance.'' MEMO: For information on the volunteer project, call John Sammons at Oakland
Elementary School, 925-5505.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Richard and Clarice Whitfield are grateful for the help they've had
repairing their home in Chuckatuck.
by CNB