Agents go extra mile on service project

LAKE STEVENS — A Lake Stevens woman says a group of real estate agents went well beyond what anyone expected to help her fix up her deck.

The agents, from the Lake Stevens Windermere office, had promised several hours of repair and cleanup as part of Windermere’s annual giving back to the community day.

“It was supposed to be a six-hour patch job on my deck and instead they spent two days and even called in a contractor at their own expense,” said Sue Neale.

Neale, who is legally blind, said she wasn’t aware of the severity of the problem. Instead of just needing “a patch job” her deck was consumed with dry rot and had to be completely replaced.

“I couldn’t see any of it,” she said.

Neale, who cares for disabled people in the home, said she now has a new 10-by-12-foot deck with wider steps to make it easier and safe for residents and for emergency medical personnel.

She said workers stayed from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. the first day and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. the second day.

“The offer was six hours of free labor and I would provide materials,” she said.

Neale said workers also weeded her flower beds.

Windermere’s Patty Cunningham said six people worked on the new deck: Peter Paterno, Robert Chapman, Dick Kaas, Jeff Sax, Josh Koffler and Dan House. The effort also included Todd Artzer of Pacific Coast Associates Inc.

Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459, benbow@heraldnet.com.

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