New Year, New Roof Giveaway 2021

Nominee: Peter and Pam Mathieu of Fall River, MA

Nominated By: Jennifer Pacheco

Peter and Pam’s Story: I would like to nominate Pete and Pam Mathieu to receive this year’s New Year New Roof giveaway. Pete and Pam are loving parents to three adorable and incredible children. Like all parents, the Mathieu’s have their fair share of challenges to overcome – with their biggest concern being their middle child. Their kind, little boy was diagnosed with autism at a young age and has periodic epileptic episodes. Pete and Pam have done and will continue to do everything in their power to get their son the help he needs to live a better life, but we all know that extensive healthcare, like what he needs, is extremely expensive.

In December 2017, the Mathieu’s homeowner’s insurance company notified them that they would be canceling coverage due to an overgrowth of moss on the roof. Extensive damage was done to the roof during the removal of the moss, leading to a number of additional housing issues. As a result, Pete and Pam need a new roof, a new retaining wall, a new front entryway, and a ton of gutter and draining work done. Many repairs have been made by Pete himself, including a new paint job on areas that were damaged and a window replacement project.

Unfortunately, Pete is running low on time and money – he currently works as an EMT/Fire Fighter at the Framingham Fire Department, with any free time dedicated to his part-time position as a carpenter. While he’s at work, Pam is home taking care of the children as a full-time mother, because their middle child needs all the help and attention he can get from his loving mother. In addition to being wonderful parents, Pam volunteers for the Early Intervention Parent Leadership Program, People Inc. Parent Advisory Council, and the Fall River Special Education Program. Pete volunteers as a local T-ball couch and deck hockey coach. 

I’ve known Pete and Pam for a very long time now, and they are, without a doubt, deserving people. Let’s do everything we can to save the Mathieu’s additional time, money, and stress this year.

Nominee: Hilda Lopes of New Bedford, MA

Nominated By: Tilly Feliciano

Hilda’s Story: I would like to nominate my sister, Hilda Lopes. She raised her son as a single parent and currently works 32 hours as an essential frontline worker at St. Luke’s Hospital. As an Emergency Room Greeter, Hilda is responsible for patient check-in and triage. She has received many commendations from SouthCoast Health for her positive attitude, hard work, and selfless acts of kindness and empathy towards patients. She is loved by co-workers and patients alike because she goes above and beyond in her job and the needs of patients. She was a personal care assistant for my son, who has Autism and seizures, for 4 years. She was the person to catch his very first seizure in which he was met flighted to Boston. Hilda was also there when my son almost drowned. He wasn’t breathing and it was Hilda who helped me perform CPR to save his life. 

She bought a house on a meager income and struggles to pay her bills. The roof on her house leaks in multiple places and is literally falling apart. At one point she was finally able to save a decent amount for a down payment on a new roof; however tragedy struck our family and our oldest brother unexpectedly passed away in August of 2016. Hilda didn’t think twice and offered all of her savings to help the family pay for funeral expenses. My sister has always sacrificed for others and gone without herself. My sister cared for our Dad for many years until he passed away in 2004. During that time, she worked two jobs raising her son. She is always kind and compassionate and will go to great lengths to help out anyone in need. Her friend was recently diagnosed with cancer and she was able to collect a generous amount of donations to cover medical & household expenses for her friend. She also initiated a sick bank donation at work for paid time off. 

She is strong and leans on the Lord for strength and stands on the scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me”. She has been through countless trials and tribulations her entire life, but yet somehow, she is the one who is always there for everyone else to help. 

Nominee: Francis Tichelaar of Taunton, MA

Nominated By: Samantha Tichelaar

Francis’ Story: I would like to nominate my dad. My dad is a social butterfly who loves to be sarcastic with anyone who will listen. When it comes to work, my dad is the hardest worker I know. He is a jack of all trades who has picked up tons of knowledge from each job he has ever had. Throughout his life, he has been tested time and again, yet each time he came out of it stronger than ever (that is one of the MANY reasons why I look up to him so much).

In 2009, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was not long before medical bills started piling up. My father had taken time off from work to stay home and take care of my mom so family income was pretty low. In 2010 my mom lost her battle to cancer. Despite losing his best friend, my dad was brave for us kids, but I know that with her passing a piece of him died, too. My father faced many obstacles in the following months, luckily our half brother, who was 25 at the time, was able to step in and help my dad with us kids considering we were only 10, 14, and 15 years old. However, about 17 months after my mom’s passing, we lost my half brother, too. Losing his first born was not easy for my dad. Losing his wife and his child really started to take a toll on my father. He began to go down a dark path. We almost lost our home due to missed payments. A few mistakes later, my dad found the help he needed, got himself a job, and really started to turn things around. It has not been an easy journey.

He has many bills that he is still working towards paying off, but he does it proudly. As he works to pay off the everyday bills, he is also faced with household projects left and right. I have lived in this house my entire life and our roof has never been fully redone. We have been able to patchwork a few spots, but the truth of the matter is that the roof leaks and needs to replaced. My dad has mentioned redoing it but then goes quiet when we ask how much it would cost. Please consider giving my dad a new roof. I can tell that he is getting tired, and I hope that this new roof will spare him from the financial stress of buying it himself. 

Nominee: Jane & Michael Bailey of Newport, RI

Nominated By: Michele Bailey

Jane & Mike’s Story:  We were raised to take care of those who might not necessarily be able to care for themselves. Our mom and dad opened their home to many people; a family of 5 who had been burned out of their home, teenagers and young adults who were no longer able to live at home for a variety of reasons. They opened our home to children and young adults in the foster care system. It was not unheard of to wake up in the morning to find a kiddo sleeping in the spare room because an emergency foster home was needed. Each foster brother and sister we had was treated as a member of our family, whether they stayed a day, a week, a month, or a year. 

Our mom owns and operates their art gallery in Newport and uses that space to teach art lessons, pre-COVID of course, and to show case other area artists. At nearly 79 years old she is active in her community, still paints, draws, teacheres, and sells her art. Our dad has worked construction for the last 40 years. He has been tough on his body, surviving a broken neck as a young teenager, ulcers, setting his own broken finger and ignoring his own broken leg. He’s had heart complications since his emergency quadruple bypass surgery in 1986. In 2019 he experienced 5 heart attacks and a valve replacement. He has had a series of falls over the last 12 months and has suffered serveral concussions, pain in his back and legs every day, to the point that he often is unable to walk. Our fathers’ medical bills are in the tens of thousands.

COVID has made their situation even more complicated. My sisters and I are unable to visit and help as much as we would like yet through all of this our mom has remained steadfast and true. She now not only creates art as a self-employed artist, runs the art gallery, and is our father’s primary care taker, but she also must manage the upkeep of their home. Our mom recently told us she believes it is time to have the roof replaced. This will be a difficult bill for two people on a limited fixed income, on top of the typical bills and medical bills that continue to accrue. Thank you for considering this nomination. It would be a blessing and a befitting gift for our parents.