Community Partners Surprise Tornado Victim

Homes by Taber spearheads a project to help a local tornado victim. See how they partnered with Scott Hines and KFOR’s In Your Corner.

For weeks, contractor Chris Cole's been one step ahead of us. Court records show he owes close to $7,000 in child support. We got word he was going to be at a hearing, so we parked, waited for him to leave the court. You'll remember Myrisha Guy hired Cole to repair her tornado-damaged home. He did the roof but bailed on the rest of the job and even left this giant hole in her ceiling. Without the repairs, Myrisha can't insure her home, so naturally we jumped into action. Homes by Taber, Fields Drywall and A-1 Electric Heat and Air are volunteering their time and resources to repair her home.

The work is happening.

The new skirting and brand new air conditioning unit are already in place, plus we had another surprise for Myrisha. Darrin Humphrey with Tornado Safe Shelters was a last-minute addition to our team. "Mainly, it was Myrisha’s heart and her sincerity", he said. He wants to bless them with one of his company's brand new concrete flat top storm shelters.

His crew will get started just as soon as the buried utility lines get marked and a permit gets pulled. Myrisha won't have to spend a dime on any of it.

Thank goodness, since she spent a good chunk of her savings to pay Chris Cole. Our one and only conversation with the contractor didn’t last long. He wasn't interested in sticking around to talk to us. He’s still refusing to refund Myrisha a portion of her cash.

We'll let you know as soon as the repairs are done and the shelter installation is complete.

Update 2-28-2016: We have new information involving Myrisha Guy's struggles to repair her home. You'll remember her place was damaged last May following the tornado that hit South Oklahoma City. 

Chris Cole is the contractor she paid to do the repairs. She says he bailed on the job and left her with a giant hole in her ceiling. 

Now a group of local businesses is coming to the tornado victim's rescue.

Taber LeBlanc and Homes by Taber will coordinate the project and pitch in supplies, money, and labor.

"We're going to get the new skirt", Taber said. "My crew is going to come in and repaint inside." Fields Drywall will remove the water damage and repair the ceiling.

Steve Nievar and A-1 Electric Heat and Air have signed on to install a brand new furnace and air conditioner.

"We're blessed every day", Steve said. "We want to return the favor." 

This experience has brought Myrisha to a place of gratitude. Her daughters say she's always the first one to open up her home and heart to family and friends. "She's got a big heart so I feel like this is a tremendous blessing for her to receive this," Trinisha said.