Family wins home makeover

A Wood County family is getting the gift of a lifetime this holiday season, thousands of dollars worth of much needed home improvements. It's all part of a makeover contest sponsored by a city website.

When Terry and Stacey Leach moved into their Wisconsin Rapids home 15 years ago, they knew it needed some work. But before any major renovations could begin, more important life events took center stage.

"About 11 months after we were married, our second child Samantha came along," Stacey explained. "Then at her 2 month checkup, we found out that she had a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow throughout the body. And from there it was one thing after another after another."

After years of treatment and surgeries, Samantha is now a happy teenager. But the family, also including 16 year old Tayla, was never able to find time to give their home the TLC it desperately needed. That's until Stacey applied for the GoRapids.com Home Makeover Contest.

Website leaders choose the Leach family over a few dozen other submissions. Besides holding down full time jobs, the parents are also volunteer firefighters. And it's their willingness to help those in need that leaders say put them above the rest.

"Stacey and Terry do volunteer and they do give back to the community and it was very heartbreaking to see that they had to struggle because they are trying to help other people too," said Danielle Vicuna with GoRapids.

The home is about halfway through the repair process. They're getting new floors, windows, countertops, and cabinets in the kitchen. Plus a remodeled bathroom. For Terry and Stacey, the last few weeks have been a dream come true.

"Anything," Stacey said. "I mean a house fire or anything. And we don't think about it, we just do it and to have somebody do this back and to help us out. I still can't believe it."

All the supplies, time and labor is being completely donated by local businesses and sponsors. And this family can't thank the community enough for these gifts, this holiday season.

"Without people like that," Stacey commented. "We wouldn't have our dreams come true and I just think it's amazing."

The Leach's hope to have almost all of the renovations done by Christmas. Then come Spring, work will begin to completely landscape their yard.