A Labor of Love: Valley Family Moves into New Home

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — It's moving day at the "white house," and even though the Mat-Su Valley family of four is moving into a home next door, it's miles ahead of their old one when it comes to accommodations.  

"The trailer were they were living is so filled with leaks that it was raining inside more than it was raining outside," Israel Nelson, a friend of the family said.  

Jim White always wanted to build his dream home on the property near Knik-Goose Bay Road, but four years ago he thought his dream would never become a reality when both of his legs were amputated from peripheral artery disease.  That was until White met Israel Nelson.  

"He came up to visit me and saw where I was living and said, it wasn't good and it wasn't right that I was living in such a dump," White said.

Nelson had an idea, but he didn't know if it would ever get off the ground.  He asked the valley for support, but says he was floored by how much support he got.  Dozens of businesses and individuals donated money and supplies.  

"I think our smallest donation was a two dollar check, from somebody who was on social security and of course we've had those people who have donated $10,000," Nelson said.

With help from the Mat-Su Homebuilders Association and Palmer Presbyterian Church, Nelson helped build a handicap accessible home for the White family.

The home isn't finished yet, it still needs siding which Nelson says will cost about $5,000.

Contact jbartz@ktuu.com