A story with a happy ending. :)

[Reba]

From Boiling Springs, SC:

Boiling Springs High custodian gets new home
By Zach Fox
zach.fox@shj.com
Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 10:50 p.m.

More than a year after a fire destroyed her home, Boiling Springs High School custodian Brenda Hurst was left speechless after seeing her brand-new house.

Hurst, who has worked at Boiling Springs since 1993, lost her home in a fire last June. Tuesday afternoon, Hurst's new home was unveiled for the first time since construction was completed.

“I'm just so happy to see my friends and loved ones, and my babies,” Hurst said. “It's awesome to see the community, far and wide, come together to support me.”

Dozens attended the dedication ceremony on Grassland Road in Campobello. The house, on land that has been in Hurst's family for generations, was built by Carpenters for Christ and student volunteers from Boiling Springs High and Swofford Career Center.

“All of the volunteers have done a first-class job,” said Mike Ravan, executive director of Carpenters for Christ. “I'm blessed to say the lord has allowed us to do this. Some of the kids that came out and worked here never even met Miss Brenda, but they still worked.”

The house is fully furnished with plenty of representations of Boiling Springs High, the school where Hurst has dedicated herself for more than 20 years. A bulldog statue sits along the walkway leading to the house's red front door.

The house features gray siding and a yard filled with new sod. Inside, red leather couches are accented by a black kitchen table and chairs. Granite countertops highlight the appliances that were donated by area businesses.

“As a builder, you always look forward to closing and collecting the check,” Ravan said, before the unveiling. “Seeing her face when she sees the house, that will be the cash payment.”

Ravan said he started the Miss Brenda Project after hearing about the fire through the media. He said Hurst's story is why Carpenters for Christ exists.

“No person could have done this, but a community can. This makes me proud to be from Spartanburg County,” he said. “It's no used mobile home, is it? This house is far beyond anything we could have dreamed.”

Boiling Springs High Principal Chuck Gordon said he remembered last year when Hurst's home caught fire. Gordon said Hurst ran into his office, shaking and crying, before asking to leave. Shortly after Hurst left, Gordon joined her on the property.

“Sure enough, it was gone,” he said.

Only one item survived the fire – the Hurst family Bible. Gordon said that was a sign of what was to come.

“The word survived,” he said. “I looked at her and said, something special is going to happen.”

Tuesday morning, before she ever saw her new house, Hurst already was thinking of others, Gordon said. He said she made six pans of banana pudding to send to the ceremony while friends and family were awaiting her arrival.

“She is never thinking about self,” Gordon said. “What a wonderful lady.”

Alexis Ork, Boiling Springs class of 2015 president, said when she heard about the fire at Hurst's home, she knew the school had to act. She helped organize multiple fundraisers and volunteer drives that led to construction beginning in February.

After seeing the final product, Ork said the house is worthy of Hurst – beautiful inside and out.

“The hallways at Boiling Springs High School were lit every day by her smile and laugh,” she said. “When I heard what happened, I dropped everything and was like, 'That's it. We're going to build Miss Brenda a home.'”

Gordon praised the amount of dedication students showed to Hurst. He said he was proud of his school for showing such compassion and coming to the aid of a woman who makes every student smile and feel special while walking the halls.

“If this house burned down tomorrow, I can tell you the students of Boiling Springs High School would come to her rescue,” he said. “It's a really special group of students.”

High school Custodian gets new house

South Carolina school custodian lost home and

School custodian screams and cries at reveal

 

[Jane B.]

One of the links said this. "While she knew they were building a new house for her where her old one burned down, the school asked Hurst to stay away while it was constructed. Hurst, who had been staying with family this past year, didn’t see her new home until its dedication ceremony yesterday." As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

I always question the wisdom of a complete surprise for something on this scale and this durable. There are soooo many things in a house that are personal choices. With different ways of doing it either loved or hated. For example some people want a range in the kitchen and others want a wall oven and cooktop. Also the matter of an open floor plan or not and single or multi-story.

"This Old House" did several shows about a group that builds for disabled veterans. That group makes the award of the house a surprise and then the veteran and his/her family get chose from several available floor plans. They also get to pick the colors, etc. used in decorating it. I think this is a much better way to do it.

 

[LoveBlue]

One of the links said this. "While she knew they were building a new house for her where her old one burned down, the school asked Hurst to stay away while it was constructed. Hurst, who had been staying with family this past year, didn’t see her new home until its dedication ceremony yesterday." As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

I always question the wisdom of a complete surprise for something on this scale and this durable. There are soooo many things in a house that are personal choices. With different ways of doing it either loved or hated. For example some people want a range in the kitchen and others want a wall oven and cooktop. Also the matter of an open floor plan or not and single or multi-story.

"This Old House" did several shows about a group that builds for disabled veterans. That group makes the award of the house a surprise and then the veteran and his/her family get chose from several available floor plans. They also get to pick the colors, etc. used in decorating it. I think this is a much better way to do it.

And why do you assume she had no input? Personally, I'd be happy with whatever they gave me. Much better than not have a home of my own.

 

[caz]

I think it wonderful.i should think they got good idea of her likes dislikes from friends family.they told her stay away she knew what going to happen so I expect she had some input....I don't like to nit pick when wonderful things happen are done for good people....the vets should have automatic rights to homes provided by government paid by tax payer the vets lost limbs etc for country they owed it.

 

[Reba]

One of the links said this. "While she knew they were building a new house for her where her old one burned down, the school asked Hurst to stay away while it was constructed. Hurst, who had been staying with family this past year, didn’t see her new home until its dedication ceremony yesterday." As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

I always question the wisdom of a complete surprise for something on this scale and this durable. There are soooo many things in a house that are personal choices. With different ways of doing it either loved or hated. For example some people want a range in the kitchen and others want a wall oven and cooktop. Also the matter of an open floor plan or not and single or multi-story.

"This Old House" did several shows about a group that builds for disabled veterans. That group makes the award of the house a surprise and then the veteran and his/her family get chose from several available floor plans. They also get to pick the colors, etc. used in decorating it. I think this is a much better way to do it.

Wow, aren't you the Debbie Downer!

How do you know she and/or family members and friends (people who know her well) didn't provide input for her house? She said she wanted a red sofa, and she got a red sofa, so she probably told them what else she wanted. Also, the group had to work within financial constraints, on existing property, so they had limitations to what they could do.

I saw Miss Brenda on TV this morning (live), and she seemed as thrilled as ever about the house. Seeing what a gracious, humble woman she is, I imagine she might have told them that she would be happy to get anything, and mean it sincerely.

Interview

Not everyone is picky about the same things.

 

[whatdidyousay!]

@ JaneB most of the stuff you're b*tching about can be changed , the woman can be moved the furniture around, you can buy cover for couches and she will be putting new photos of her family to made house the feel more at home . I am so glad the woman is not you , I would hate to see the looked of the people faces that worked so build the house and buy all the furniture . I like that red couch it really made the room light up!

 

[Jane B.]

@ JaneB most of the stuff you're b*tching about can be changed , the woman can be moved the furniture around, you can buy cover for couches and she will be putting new photos of her family to made house the feel more at home . I am so glad the woman is not you , I would hate to see the looked of the people faces that worked so build the house and buy all the furniture . I like that red couch it really made the room light up!

I don't know how so many missed it. What I am talking about are the groups/shows that do things of this magnitude as a complete surprise! I struggled to keep from making too long a post and somehow was not clear about that. I feel that the ones like I talked about "This Old House" showing where the presentation of the award of a house was a surprise; BUT the person/family getting it had a choice from several different floor plans as well as the easier to change things like paint colors.

There are things that are big items and not that inexpensive to change. Examples: Walls are not that inexpensive to move (be they added or taken down). In the kitchen changing from a range to a wall oven(s) and cooktop is a major undertaking. Going the other way is a little easier (put the range where the cooktop was originally).

I hope, in this case, she was asked about things like that.

 

[LoveBlue]

I don't know how so many missed it. What I am talking about are the groups/shows that do things of this magnitude as a complete surprise! I struggled to keep from making too long a post and somehow was not clear about that. I feel that the ones like I talked about "This Old House" showing where the presentation of the award of a house was a surprise; BUT the person/family getting it had a choice from several different floor plans as well as the easier to change things like paint colors.

There are things that are big items and not that inexpensive to change. Examples: Walls are not that inexpensive to move (be they added or taken down). In the kitchen changing from a range to a wall oven(s) and cooktop is a major undertaking. Going the other way is a little easier (put the range where the cooktop was originally).

I hope, in this case, she was asked about things like that.

From your original post.

As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

 

[Bebonang]

One of the links said this. "While she knew they were building a new house for her where her old one burned down, the school asked Hurst to stay away while it was constructed. Hurst, who had been staying with family this past year, didn’t see her new home until its dedication ceremony yesterday." As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

I always question the wisdom of a complete surprise for something on this scale and this durable. There are soooo many things in a house that are personal choices. With different ways of doing it either loved or hated. For example some people want a range in the kitchen and others want a wall oven and cooktop. Also the matter of an open floor plan or not and single or multi-story.

"This Old House" did several shows about a group that builds for disabled veterans. That group makes the award of the house a surprise and then the veteran and his/her family get chose from several available floor plans. They also get to pick the colors, etc. used in decorating it. I think this is a much better way to do it.

I don't know how so many missed it. What I am talking about are the groups/shows that do things of this magnitude as a complete surprise! I struggled to keep from making too long a post and somehow was not clear about that. I feel that the ones like I talked about "This Old House" showing where the presentation of the award of a house was a surprise; BUT the person/family getting it had a choice from several different floor plans as well as the easier to change things like paint colors.

There are things that are big items and not that inexpensive to change. Examples: Walls are not that inexpensive to move (be they added or taken down). In the kitchen changing from a range to a wall oven(s) and cooktop is a major undertaking. Going the other way is a little easier (put the range where the cooktop was originally).

I hope, in this case, she was asked about things like that.

I can understand what you are saying. You are right. I have seen other shows, not on "This Old House" that the owner, if not with Ms. Hurst, who lost her house would make the suggestion on what kind of floor plans in the new house and what colors to put on the walls and what type of appliances she want to put in the new house and etc.

But so far she did mentioned what she wanted a red couch in spite of the floor plans and other plans. When she see the new house as a surprise. She did not mentioned that she did not like the floor plans or feel disappointed. I think she is very happy to have a house like a roof over her head. I am glad she made a suggestion that she want a red couch so that is good enough for herself.

If she did not like the designs in the house, maybe she might make a suggestion with the builders about it, but that would cause her to pay more to change the kind of floor plans or appliances she want in the house.

So for now she is really thrill and happy to have her own house again. So that is cool. Nobody is perfect. Happiness is the key. Jane, I understand your input.

 

[caz]

Ahh the TV programmes that take viewer into realms oh this good entertainment see tears of gratitude those programmes are not what they appear to be they good advertising.This was not intended for that it was what it was and not for public patronising it just happened to get picked up as human interest story

 

[Oddball]

One of the links said this. "While she knew they were building a new house for her where her old one burned down, the school asked Hurst to stay away while it was constructed. Hurst, who had been staying with family this past year, didn’t see her new home until its dedication ceremony yesterday." As wonderful as doing this is none of the articles said anything about her having any say in the design and furnishing of it.

I always question the wisdom of a complete surprise for something on this scale and this durable. There are soooo many things in a house that are personal choices. With different ways of doing it either loved or hated. For example some people want a range in the kitchen and others want a wall oven and cooktop. Also the matter of an open floor plan or not and single or multi-story.

"This Old House" did several shows about a group that builds for disabled veterans. That group makes the award of the house a surprise and then the veteran and his/her family get chose from several available floor plans. They also get to pick the colors, etc. used in decorating it. I think this is a much better way to do it.

Your comments are so lame. :thumbd: