Restoring a home, and lives, from the ground up

STOCKTON, Tooele County — If the cracked, peeling walls of the Memmott family's home could tell a story, it would be one of sacrifice. It would be a story of a family who would give up the shirts off their backs without asking for anything in return, and of the man who wants to give their story a happy ending.

Kent Memmott's mother grew up in the Stockton home, and when she was diagnosed with cancer, Kent and his family sold their house and moved in to take care of her. It was not until she passed away almost a decade ago that the Memmott family learned that there was no insurance policy on the house. And with no insurance policy, there would be no repairs that would enable it to be sold.

That meant a decade of living under a leaky roof, with asbestos in the walls. Six of the seven Memmott children call a single bedroom their own. The oldest, Max, sleeps either outside in a camper trailer or inside on the couch, depending on the weather.

Kent's brother-in-law, Andy Monson, decided earlier this year to do something about the Memmott family's situation: a do-it-yourself "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," to rebuild not only the dilapidated home, but the lives of those who inhabit it.

"A 900-square-foot house is not enough space for 7 growing kids," Monson wrote on a fundraising page he started for the family. "A crumbling foundation, holes and leaks everywhere, and no insulation is poor shelter from the tough Utah weather."

Monson's goal is to bulldoze the house and start from scratch — beginning with a concrete foundation instead of the dirt one that currently allows the family's basement to flood during every storm.

"The walls are not stable and a two-by-four in the basement supports the entire floor," Monson told ksl.com. "You can see the basement through a seam in the floor between the kitchen and living room. You've got a house sitting on dirt walls; eventually, it's going to cave in."

It's a big undertaking, but Monson said it is worth it for a family like the Memmotts, who give without asking for anything in return. He told the story of when his own house was flooded, and Kent Memmott showed up with lumber to rebuild a wall, free of charge.

There were more stories — times the Memmotts have taken the Monson children for days at a time when the Monsons couldn't find a babysitter, even though, with seven children, they were hard-pressed to find the room.

"They have so many problems of their own, but they will drop anything at a moment's notice to help us," Monson said. "They're always helping someone in the neighborhood with something. They just forget themselves."

So far, Monson and his wife, Margaret, have about 30 percent of what they need to complete the project, including paint and windows for the new home. They also have an electrician and plumber willing to help, but are still looking for materials. A charitable account has been set up at America First Credit Union under the name Kathleen Memmott Charitable Account.*

The Monsons said they are not looking to simply give the Memmotts a new home; it is a chance to start a new life.

"It's a pretty sad house," Margaret Monson said. "It's got a lot of memories, but they could make better memories."

The project has inspired Andy Monson to start a nonprofit organization to help other families in need. He said he wants to partner with businesses to help families like the Memmotts.

"I know they aren't the only family in this situation," he said. "There is always a need in any community. There are always people who just need to be in a better situation."

---

*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

Related topics