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34 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 5, 2004 Donnie Chadrick, left, explains to contractor Tom Bedford how he was swindled out of thousands of dollars by a man claiming to be a licensed contractor. Bedford and others are holding a �barn-raising� to finish a garage for Chadrick. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli The neighborly thing to do By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune George Meuser lives within shouting distance of Donnie Chadrick’s home, but the two neighbors never crossed paths until last month. Reading his newspaper one day, Meuser came upon a story about Chadrick being taken for thousands of dollars by a man whom he had hired to build a two-story garage at his West Griffin Creek Road home. The man later walked off the job with the building less than half complete. A retired schoolteacher with some free time, Meuser put down the paper, walked over to his neighbor’s house, introduced himself to Chadrick and offered to help finish the garage. "It ticked me off that somebody would do that to a person in his situation," Meuser said of Chadrick, a 39-year-old cancer patient whose monthly house payments skyrocketed after he refinanced his home to pay for the new garage. "He’s going through a tough time, and I thought I’d go over there to see what I could do to help," Meuser said. "All he wants is a place to work on cars until he gets too far along to do that." Advertisement Several other neighbors and local contractors — all strangers to Chadrick before last month — had the same idea after learning of his dilemma. They are now working together to complete the unfinished building. The group has tentatively scheduled a "barn-raising" event at the Chadrick home for the weekend of Jan. 8-9, when they plan to clean up the mess Brian Hayes allegedly left on the property. "I had no idea this was going to happen," Chadrick said. "It is overwhelming, and I feel so grateful. These people are super." Police say Hayes lied last summer when he told Chadrick he was a licensed contractor who would build him a new garage. Chadrick gave Hayes about $11,000 and was left with little more than a concrete slab in his yard when the alleged swindler walked off the job. To make matters worse, police say Hayes wrote a bad check to a lumber company for $33,000 while working at Chadrick’s home. The lumber was delivered to the house, and when the company found out Hayes could not pay for the materials, it placed a lien against Chadrick’s property. Hayes was arrested last month and charged with felony theft in connection to his dealings with Chadrick and another incident in which several off-road vehicles were stolen from Naumes Oregon Motorsports in Medford. Jackson County sheriff’s detectives say they are investigating further instances in which Hayes allegedly misrepresented himself as a contractor and stole money from clients who hired him to complete construction jobs. Those who believe they are a victim of Hayes is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 774-6800. "What bothers me most is that he took advantage of (Chadrick), knowing he’s sick," said contractor Paul Gough, another person who stepped up right away with an offer to help finish the garage. "So many times, I’ve heard of people being taken by a contractor, but people need to know there are a lot of good ones around here." Chadrick refuses to feel sorry for himself and did not wish to discuss the specifics of his illness. He’s willing to do his part during the barn-raising, but has been told that the most he’ll be asked to contribute during that weekend is the flipping of hamburgers for the work crew, organizer Riki Bedford said. "That’s the least I could do," Chadrick said. Bedford, whose husband, Tom, is a contractor, said the volunteer group is seeking donations for materials needed to complete the garage. Donation jars have been set up at Norton Lumber offices in Phoenix (515 W. Fifth St.) and White City (8205 Crater Lake Highway). Bedford said additional businesses plan to do the same. "We need everything from 2-by-6s to boxes of nails," she said. "We won’t accept more (donations) than we need to finish the job." Others are also working to raise money for Chadrick. Volunteer Susan Fish of Fish Construction said Sonrise Fellowship in White City has already come up with $100 for the garage job. "Donnie’s situation has given spirit to people, and he’s just one of those people you want to be around and help," Bedford said. "He has fought so hard ... He’s an inspiration to us all." Chadrick says the experience of having complete strangers approach him with offers of assistance and support have helped "reinforce my belief in humanity." "I’m old-fashioned, and I’ve always believed a handshake and your word are good enough," he said. "I found out you can’t be that way with some people. This has been very humbling, and I can’t tell you how thankful I am right now." How to help Anyone with questions about the barn-raising for the benefit of Donnie Chadrick, or wanting to make donations, may call Tom Bedford at 857-5048. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities