Community helps family

Aug. 7, 2010

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Phyrn Womer took a break to say thanks.

The words of appreciation came out between prolonged pauses and intermittent sobs.

“The generosity of the whole community is overwhelming,” she said. “We just thank the Lord that my husband and I are here today.”

It’s been almost a month since Bob and Phyrn Womer lost their Wilmington Township home in a fire.

During that time, friends, family, church members and community residents delivered supplies, prayer and care.

“I just don’t know what to say,” Phyrn Womer said.

The Womers have lived at the corner of Route 208 and Covered Bridge Road for 54 years. Bob Womer, a retired floor installer, built the home with $10,000 he received under the GI Bill.

“They were one of the first ‘English’ families to build here,” said daughter-in-law Barb Womer.

They have been a part of the Amish community for all those years, said Peggy Foht, the Womers’ daughter. Two weeks before the fire, her father went to a barn raising.

“Mom and dad have always given,” she said. “Now, they’re just getting back.
“Once or twice a day there’s an Amish family to stop and see my mom and dad to check on them.”

Yesterday, the rebuilding began.

The Womers’ Amish neighbors planned to work on the structure the morning after the July 9 blaze.

The couple’s insurance company slowed the pace of recovery. Bob Womer said the damage was estimated at $100,000.

“The Amish community was sort of taken aback by that,” Foht said. “They’re use to just jumping right in.”

The insurance company paid for the supplies. The Amish are donating their labor.

JEEMCO Inc., a New Wilmington construction company, contributed equipment and workers.

Tim Womer, the couple’s oldest son, said approximately 20 Amish men in addition to other workers arrived at the home between 7 and 7:30 a.m.

“Within a couple of hours we had the whole roof and everything else torn off,” he said. “They immediately started putting a new structure up.”

A 6-year-old also helped as he removed torn hardwood flooring.

Bob Womer expects to return to their home by Thanksgiving.

Until then, he and his wife are staying in a camper on the property.

“What we lost was just material things,” Phyrn Womer said. “We just thank the Lord for our family and all the wonderful, wonderful friends that we have.”