Gulfport Comes Together to Help a Neighbor in Need

Overgrown trees, rotten fencing, a cluttered garage and scattered leaves may sound like the description of an abandoned home or vacant lot in Gulfport. But, that's not the case at Alan Dreischarf's home on 8th Ave S. True, Dreischarf's home looked unkept, but that's not because of lack of care.

Dreischarf has called Gulfport home for the past 20 years and says he loves the city. But, Dreischarf is struggling to maintain his home and yard on his own.

"I broke my neck in 1970," Dreischarf said. Because of that, his health has deteriorated over the years and slowly he's lost a lot of use of the right side of his body. He uses a walker to get around and says it would take him five times longer to mow his lawn than the average person.

When Community Service Officer Robert McLaughlin of the Gulfport Police Department learned of Dreischarf's challenges he informed Doug Hudson with the Gulfport Neighbors. That's when Hudson and the community group put out a call for help.

On Saturday, that call was answered and people came in droves.

"I feel like I've won the lottery," 57-year-old Alan Dreischarf exclaimed as the sound of rakes, hammers and chain saws could be heard just outside his door.

"It's like Habitat for Humanity," Dreischarf said.

Only, Saturday, the volunteers weren't building a new home, they were trying to help this longtime resident improve the one he has.

"Some towns could care less," Dreischarf said as two volunteers patched up a hole in his kitchen ceiling.

Nine years ago an electrical fire burned through the ceiling panels in Dreischarf's kitchen. This weekend, it's finally getting new sheetrock.

Nearly 100 people came out on Saturday to help repair and clean up his property.

Coppola's Tree Service helped remove a tree, tree stump and cut down branches that were weighing down on the roof. Volunteers tore down and installed a new fence donated by Beachway Park. Others raked leaves and removed rocks from his backyard and another group cleared out his garage. And Smokin' J's donated lunch for the volunteers.

What makes this outpouring of help even more of a surpise is that Dreischarf never asked for it.

Neighbor George Burkhart met Alan Dreischarf in 1996 when he moved his business in across the street. Burkhart got to know Dreischarf over the years and noticed that recently Dreischarf struggled to take out his trash and recycling to his curb. About a year and a half ago Burkhart gave Dreischarf a wheelchair and a walker to help him get around.

Burkhart says although Dreischarf has physical disabilities, he's always been independent and has "never asked for anything." To see this help speaks volumes about the community.

Volunteers

Susan and Curt Hudson and Florence and Harry Bellis are visiting from Mechanicsburg, PA. Both couples are staying at St. Pete Beach for three months and said they didn't hesitate to come to Gulfport. They've volunteered for years with organizations like Habitat for Humanity up north and wanted to lend a hand.

"We like to help out and give back," Susan Hudson said.

Gulfport resident Denise Lowe was energized and happy to spend time volunteering with her two grandsons.

"They're actually having fun," Lowe said.

Lowe says recent discussions about cleaning up the city and cracking down on code violations and code ordinances has been potentially dividing the city. And it's nice to see people come together and "do something about it."

"It's just what we need to unite this community," Lowe said.

Council Member Sam Henderson, said "It's really cool. Alan's place was really run down. This is really positive. I appreciate this approach."

Doug Hudson with the Gulfport Neighbors said, "We don't agree on everything but we do agree this is something the community needs."

Gulfport resident Bob Newcomb: "This is a barn raising!"

Cassandra Jordan and her daughter Mya came from Pinellas Point after watching a story on the local news station. "It touched my heart. I just want to reach out and help. We have to love our neighbors," Jordan said.

Vice Mayor David Hastings: "We're branching to individual homes. I think it's fantastic. If neighbors get involved with neighbors, they can see what we can be."

Guadalupe Gagnon: "This is the blood and sweat of the best Gulfport has to offer."

Gulfport resident and Ward 3 City Council Candidate Jim Perry: "This is the old Gulfport. This is the way it used to be."

Special Thanks

• Beachway Mobile Home Park
• Coppola's Tree Service
• Em's Eye Handyperson
• Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce
• Habana Cafe
• McDonalds
• Michael Knettel General Contracting
• Safety Tire & Auto
• Smoking J's BBQ
• Stella's
• Yabo Flea Market

For more information about the Gulfport Neighbors contact the Gulfport Neighbors on Facebook or call Doug Hudson at (727)744-9248.