TThe citizens of Windsor have great big hearts. We hear it again and again. And, for a young family living a nightmare in a mould-infested home, Windsor’s kind-heartedness has truly given them a new lease on life.

The story begins in 2012 when an unsuspecting Jamieson family purchased their first home. After an inspection gave the property a clean bill of health, the deal closed and with great expectations the family moved in. Excitement turned to dismay when Cynthia Jamieson began having unexplained health issues serious enough to require hospitalization. Not long after, mould was discovered in a downstairs basement. It wasn’t until the downstairs bathroom ceiling collapsed that the extent of the problem was finally uncovered. The news was bad: the home was completely infested and the bill for remediation was estimated at upwards of $70,000.

With nowhere to go and the bills piling up, in April of 2013, the family resorted to living in a pop-up trailer in the home’s backyard. Although removed from the mould, it was cold comfort. The roof of the trailer leaked and the living quarters were cramped. At their wit’s end, the Jamiesons were close to despair.

BY NANCY BELGUE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY R ICH MANCIN I

NEW LEASEONLIFE

Continued on page 72

Grayson and Reid Jamieson settle into their new home. ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarah Baeumler, Gino Piccioni, Bryan Baeumler, Cynthia Jamieson, Michael Jamieson

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Little did they know that help was just around the corner. Through the local paper and social media, the family’s problems had come to the attention of well-known HGTV personality Bryan Baeumler, Lowe’s Home Improvement and even Eddie Francis, the mayor of Windsor. By July, problems with the insurance company had been resolved and the Baeumler Family Foundation for Kids had stepped forward to lead the charge in the remediation of the home.

The primary mandate of the Baeumler Family Foundation is to provide renovations for children and families in need of accessibility, safety and security in order to create a nurturing and positive environment in the home. “This was one of the worst cases of mould I’d ever seen,” comments Bauemler. “This family was suffering. Family services was getting involved. Helping in a situation like this is exactly what our foundation was set up to do.” The foundation works in partnership with companies like Lowe’s Home Improvement and local businesses and trades who donate time and materials to make a project a reality.

Gino Piccioni of Timberland Homes was one of the first people in Windsor to volunteer after being contacted by the Baeumler Foundation. Piccioni, a local builder of incredible skill and integrity, was appalled at the home’s condition. He rallied help from his team of subcontractors and trades, many of whom offered their assistance without a moment’s hesitation. All told, Piccioni and his team provided hundreds of hours of volunteer labour and thousands of dollars of materials.

The home is now a safe and happy place. It has been completely renovated, not only ridding it of the mould, but replacing shoddy electrical and plumbing work that had been done by the previous owner without permits or inspections.

The freshly painted walls, the brand new kitchen, the sparkling bathrooms and the clean, healthy air had the Jamieson children turning somersaults with excitement. “I can’t believe this is my house,” Cynthia Jamieson says, looking around. She wipes a tear from her eye and gives Sarah Baeumler a huge hug. “I am so thankful.” OH

OUR HOMES ACKNOWLEDGES OUR

LOCAL HEROES

Timberland Homes, Pinpoint Carpentry Inc.,

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Auto Sound, Great Northern Insulation, Park

Contractors Inc., Cremasco Fine Cabinetry,

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Products Co. Limited, Greater Essex Electrical

Service Inc., Larusso Drywall, D&B Heating

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Mayor Eddie Francis presents Bryan and Sarah Baeumler with the key to the city. LEFT TO RIGHT: Gino Piccioni, Mayor Eddie Francis, Bryan Baeumler and Sarah Baeumler

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