Family And Friends Raise The Roof
Family and friends come together to put a new roof on Cole Nilson’s home Saturday. (photo by Brenda Doty Aschinger)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The sounds of hammers, saws and the drone of a tractor and lift could be heard over the quiet Oskaloosa neighborhood as family and friends arrived to help replace the roof of Cole Nilson’s home.
In the middle of April, hundreds of people could be found jumping into random ponds, all in a effort to raise funds for a two-year-old from Missouri fighting brain cancer. Cole was no different than many others, jumping in head first to help.
That leap, intended to help change the life of someone else, ended up changing life for Cole and his family and friends.
Over the weekend, Cole’s brother, Ross Nilson, said that fixing the roof was something that was already on the radar to accomplish this spring. A few phone calls later, and lots of help arrived to make the job easier. “We’ve got lots of people here helping, and it’s gone pretty quick today,” said Ross. “The outreach from the community has been pretty cool.”
Kelderman Manufacturing helped with the use of a lift, and the cost of materials was made easier by Malcom Lumber. “This is a cool thing, everyone wants to help,” says Ross. Jeremiah’s Construction and Jarvis Construction were both on hand to help make things easier.
“We haven’t gone looking for much, but a lot has come our way,” said Ross of the community support received so far. “It’s impressive to see a community come together.”
The recovery for Cole is a “slow rehab process… he makes progress everyday.” Therapy has been focusing on upper-body and occupational rehab. Things we take for granted, like feeding yourself, must be relearned.
Ross said that once Cole’s upper body strength has increased, they will start to rehab his lower body.
Cole is rehabilitating at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Cole is looking to be there through July, and his brother says that beyond that, “it depends upon how his body responds.”
Cole is not alone, as another local is working on recovering from a dirt bike accident. Brandt Ringgenberg was injured on March 29th and is paralyzed from the waist down. His family and friends have been working to raise money to help renovate Ringgenberg’s home to make it handicap accessible.
Benefits For Cole Nilson and Brandt Ringgenberg
Dog Wash & Bake Sale – Cole – May 10, 10am-3pm at H&S Feed
Bake Sale For Brandt – May 17, 10am-3pm at Mahaska Drug
Bow Shoot – Cole is Saturday, June 21 at the Ross Nilson residence.
Can Drive for Brandt – Ongoing – contact Lee – 641.660.5070 or Lisa – 641.660.1769 or Holly – 641.218.8168
