By Kayleen Holder
Here is a story that will make you smile. When a 76-year-old Medina County resident called for help, the community dug deep into thier hearts to help a neighbor in need. Mrs. Linda Sherrell was absolutely distraught after finding out she had a major water leak at her home outside of Devine, and that she had already lost over 77,000 gallons in the past month. With the meter still spinning and her being on a fixed income, she had no other choice but to have her water shut off.
But it wasn’t long before crews with STX Electrical and Jaworowski Fencing and several families stepped up to help. Approximately $500 has been donated thus far to help pay the bill, but even more amazing, is the countless number of hours that local small businesses have spent volunteering and rushing to help find the leak so that Mrs. Sherrell could have running water again.
I could tell Mrs. Linda was moved to tears in a short phone conversation last week, and she wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to everyone this week in the paper.
“It’s really unbelievable what they have done for me. You have no idea how deeply grateful this makes me feel. I’ve always known this community was incredibly supporting when someone was in need of a helping hand. I’ve seen it time and time again. This time I am the recipient of that loving spirit in a BIG way,” said Linda Sherrell, of Devine.
STX Electrical was the first to volunteer to bring crews on site and bring out their heavy equipment. They were there from daylight til sundown that Friday searching for the leak. Later that night, the folks with Jaworowski Farm and Ranch Fencing came out to try to get water running again.
“I received a courtesy call Thursday morning from East Medina SUD to tell me that my next bill indicated a leak to the tune of more than $800 above my normal usage. I was so shocked I didn’t even know what to think. I told my neighbor, and she wrote a story about the problem which resulted in help coming from every direction. Dustin Navarro of STX Electrical Contracting sent out an entire crew to help hunt the leak down. They found one in a tight spot between the porch slab and the house foundation. His crew including Antonio and Ryan worked on it until late Friday evening. Then Joseph Jaworowski with assistants Kay and Brandon were here very, very late as well.
So to all the people who came to help and those who have contributed money toward the water bill including the Waters, Whitaker, McGuiart, Squires, Havel, Yanez, Jaworowski, and Navarro families, I am so very grateful.”
Mrs. Sherrell has worked hard all her life until retiring at the age of 74, and she is truly in awe of all who have donated their hard earned money and time to help in her time of need.
“I am humbled by all of your loving hearts,” Mrs. Sherrell added.
While one leak was located, it’s believed that there must be another, and ultimately contractors may have to install new lines so she will not be without water, unless the main leak is found.
Devine is truly a great place to live, and it is because of people like this who come together to help in times of need.
As extensive work will likely be needed to locate the main leak or run new lines, you are welcome to donate by mailing to The Devine News, PO BOX 508 Devine, TX, but be sure to include a note that it is a donation for Linda Sherrell.
