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Community pulls together to save dream home
By Bob Holliday
bholliday@pantagraph.com
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CARLOCK -- When Ada Poston’s husband died unexpectedly this spring, the family’s dream of owning a new house in Carlock was in danger of dying with him. The Carlock community, however, didn’t let that happen. | Photo gallery

Residents pitched in to help complete the new house in Stoneman Gardens. Poston, along with her two children and her father, moved in earlier this month.

“I’m just in awe of what Carlock has done for me and my family,” said Poston, 43, who has lived in Carlock about four years.

For Heather Johnson, helping was a no-brainer.

“We didn’t want her to lose that house. We wanted her to stay in the community,” said Johnson, a former neighbor.

“We all pulled together because a small town is like a big family,” she added.

Poston’s new two-story home, built through the YouthBuild McLean County, has three bedrooms and a full basement. It’s a far cry from the cramped apartment the family once occupied in Carlock.

“We’ll have a large backyard and the kids can play out there,” Poston said earlier this week while seated in her new living room.

This pride in ownership nearly didn’t happen. Poston and her late husband, Don Poston, were obligated to provide sweat equity in its construction. Don Poston’s death at 45 in April and Ada Poston’s longstanding back problems put the new home in jeopardy.

After her husband’s death, Poston was uncertain that she’d carry on with the house plans.

“It was just a shock and I thought I didn’t want to do it,” she said.

That’s when her Carlock neighbors stepped forward.

They painted and sided and roofed.

“There were probably 30 or 40 people who helped,” said Johnson.

Some were parents of children who attend Carlock Elementary School with the Poston children, Christopher, 10, and Anaiah, 7. Though they are Poston’s great-niece and great-nephew, she’s adopted them.

Christopher, who has talked of being everything from U.S. president to an astronaut when he grows up, continues to struggle with losing his father, Poston said.

“They were in Boy Scouts and went fishing together,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

She also fought back tears when talking about the generosity of Carlock residents.

“People in Carlock circled their wagons around the kids and I,” she said.

Poston is one of those people you just want to help, said Mary Kamplain, of Normal, who helped with the move to the new house last weekend.

Kamplain is office manager of Heartland Community Church in Normal, where Poston has attended.

While neighbors and friends have readied the house, there are those who will continue to keep an eye on Poston, said the Rev. Gloria Hernandez, pastor of Carlock Christian Church.

Suzanne Fitzgerald, executive director of YouthBuild McLean County, is impressed with how the Carlock community pitched in to help.

“It just gladdens your soul,” she said.

Fitzgerald remembers the Postons being very excited about the prospect of the new house, which carries a special mortgage rate through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

YouthBuild currently has 14 houses at the 57-acre Stoneman Gardens, which is still being developed.

Poston, who was raised in Michigan as one of seven children, is touched by the support of Carlock residents.

“'Thank you' is just not enough,” she said.

Take a look
James Poston helps load furniture while helping his step-mother Ada Poston move to her new home Saturday (Sept. 1, 2007) in Carlock. A group of volunteers came together to help Ada Poston move into her new home at Stoneman Gardens in Carlock. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 12 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

very nice wrote on Sep 11, 2007 3:36 PM:

" Big thanks to the community of Carlock for helping others in a time of need. I am also glad to see that there was some press coverage for something good in a local community. This is a truly news worthy story because it shows the positives of those around us. I would love to see more positive stories in the news than negative ones. Even if only for one day. "

otis wrote on Sep 11, 2007 1:20 PM:

" there goes the neibor hood "

Wow! wrote on Sep 11, 2007 12:36 PM:

" What a wonderful heartwarming story. "

Mitch wrote on Sep 10, 2007 11:51 PM:

" Great to see a community pull together and help out!! Manny looks oddly familar!! Cool to see you and your dad helping out!! "

Wow! wrote on Sep 10, 2007 10:17 PM:

" Manuel Cordero? The hottest guy of the BHS class of 86!! Still lookin' good!! :) "

Cont. "I'm SO happy.... wrote on Sep 10, 2007 7:35 PM:

" You are very fortunate to live in a small town where there is still love for one another in the community. This story speaks well for Carlock and 'small town America.' May God Bless you and your family. I know Don is very happy looking down upon this happy time and knowing that his family is being well cared for. My best to you and Don's parents and God Bless the citizens of Carlock, Illinois!!! "

Ahhhhhh! wrote on Sep 10, 2007 7:35 PM:

" GOD IS GREAT! "

Lady wrote on Sep 10, 2007 3:49 PM:

" This is how God expects us to love one another. What a great community!!!!!!!! "

Rose wrote on Sep 10, 2007 3:25 PM:

" Thank you Carlock families, and friends for a job well done. You deserve to be very proud. "

Rose wrote on Sep 10, 2007 3:10 PM:

" Thank you Carlock, for a job well done. Never been there, but it sounds like you are a good caring community. "

Sounds like wrote on Sep 10, 2007 3:05 PM:

" Carlock is a awesome place to live. Not many places would pitch in and complete a project for someone. Kudos to Carlock!! "

What a ~ wrote on Sep 10, 2007 2:58 PM:

" Labor of love! How proud the community of Carlock must be! "
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