_0.jpg)
Friends, some old and many new, gather to help Lemoore woman build new fence
(Join the discussion on Disqus at end of story)
Lemoore's Connie Ford, an attractive woman in her eighth decade and going strong, turns out, has plenty of friends, and she made a whole bunch of new ones on Saturday (Oct. 5) when about 45 prospective fence builders arrived unexpectedly on her Deodar doorstep with hammers in hand and armed with a healthy dose of unbridled enthusiasm.
In just one day, this throng of volunteers managed to build Connie Ford a new backyard fence, and it's expected to last at least another 30 years.
Most of the 45 prospective fence builders came courtesy of the United States Navy. Inspired by a mass email distributed to several NAS Lemoore squadrons, a contingent of Navy folks came determined to help build Connie her new fence.
The volunteers were led by a pair of experienced fence builders, Joe Simonson and Ron Meade, both of whom seemed to know their way around a hammer and saw. Both were determined that Connie would get that new fence, and do it in record time.
Simonson, a former city of Lemoore department head, is also a contractor who during his formative years with the city guided many projects, including rebuilding the city's train depot, quite the feat considering it arrived in Lemoore in two pieces, forcing Simonson and his crew to "slap" it together.
Meade, it turns out, also knows his way around a hammer. He worked himself through college building and repairing fences. However, instead of ending up as a contractor, he ended up in education, completing a long career as a superintendent with the Lemoore Elementary School District.
Connie Ford's old fence had seen better days, and as an encroaching wall of dirt from a cotton field directly behind the house, threatened to manhandle the old fence, the time seemed ripe for a new one.
This inspirational story began just days ago when Tom Hernandez and friend Larry Avila, both former longtime city of Lemoore employees, visited Hanford's Hacienda Convalescent Home, where Avila's mother briefly resided. It was there they spotted Connie, faithfully visiting her husband, Tom Ford, a resident of The Hacienda since a stroke felled him in 2011.
Connie faithfully visits her beloved husband every day, usually from 11 a.m. to about 5 p.m.
A native of Atlantic City, Tom Ford served over 20 years in the navy, returning to Lemoore several times during his career, finally, at one point, deciding to remain in Lemoore after his retirement.
The personable Ford, who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, worked as an aviation electronics technician supervisor with Naval Air Technical Data Engineering and Service Command for many years following his retirement. He had an undeniable passion for youth. He officiated sporting events, including football, basketball, and softball.
He was also a part-time educator, getting his substitute credential and teaching regularly at the local schools. When he wasn't officiating or teaching, the vibrant former Navy man could usually be found on the golf course.
What would the affable Ford say about all this attention? "He would be overwhelmed," said Connie. "So many navy (volunteers) and people from all walks of life volunteered their time and services for this. Words cannot explain how I feel. I think it's just wonderful. I'm very grateful."
It was Hernandez who got the ball rolling, making a few phone calls to friends (including Simonson and Meade). They eventually – with the help of local service clubs and other organizations and acquaintances, raised $2,746 in donations, just about enough to pay for the backyard project.
Several service clubs, including Rotary, Kings Lions, Lemoore Lions, contributed as did the Lemoore Police Officers Association and the American Legion. Many individuals and businesses also contributed to the local project.
"We went to see Larry's mom at the same convalescent home," recalled Hernandez. While at the Hacienda, the two saw Connie Ford. "We just stopped by, and she asked me if I knew anybody that fixed fences. I said yes, and it went from there."
One of his first calls was to Simonson. Hernandez, not being a construction guy, reached out to Simonson, who was. It turns out Simonson didn't need much convincing. "Tom Ford was a great guy in the community, and he was kind of special to my children," he recalled.
"Tom (Hernandez) was always the pied piper. He reached out to me, and I reached out to service groups. Ron Meade also stepped up."
The military connection turns out, came from Simonson's son, Sean, who just happened to be serving with the Navy at NAS Lemoore. "My son is in the military, and I asked him to reach out to the communications officer, and I've got to tell you, I was kind of choked up that so many young people showed up on a Saturday morning for something they didn't have to do. It kind of gives me hope for the next generation."
Simonson also wanted to thank Tom Oliveira from Carvalho Construction, who joined Simonson on a Friday afternoon visit to the Ford home.
"The navy was overwhelming, and the donors, they did what they did out of the kindness of their heart. That was awesome."
Meade was equally pleased with the outcome. "That was a long day," he said. "We got a lot done. I got a call from Tom (Hernandez). I built fences in college as a weekend and summer job, and a day or two later and I get this letter from Joe Simonson explaining everything.
"Those Navy guys and gals were just phenomenal. We couldn't have done it without them. They were great. We started at 8 a.m. and finished 3:45 p.m. Everything was raked, swept, and hauled away," said Meade.
"I know Joe was really satisfied. Connie was ecstatic. And the Navy young people were jazzed about doing it."
Helping to spread the word, Sharla Waldon, an aviation ordnance second class, helped to spread the word, relaying the message through a squadron network designed to boost morale.
"The squadrons and the sailors teamed up to do this," she said. "Connie wanted some help with her yard, and I sent out a mass email about it. I was surprised at the large turnout."
