Months after the tragic Boston Bombing, Jeff Bauman Jr. is still overcoming many obstacles, including returning home to be with his family. One of the biggest challenges of the move is updating Jeff's parents' home to make it ADA accessible. Local businesses and community members across New Hampshire and Massachusetts are joining forces and asking for public support to make this project a success.
The conversation of helping the Bauman family began with Ann Andrus and Michael Browning of Cobb Hill Construction. After reaching out to friends and family of Bauman, a meeting was set up between the family, their church, and Cobb Hill Construction to identify what could be done to create a more accessible home for Bauman.
What originally started as an idea to add a wheelchair ramp has expanded to include a new bedroom, bathroom, and relocated kitchen all accessible to Bauman.
Ed Mullen Sr., the associate pastor of the Bauman family church (The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church) has set up an account at the church to receive donations for the project and Cobb Hill has started coordinating the donation of materials and volunteers to help complete the project. So far, a number of contractors and suppliers have volunteered their services, but more are needed. The city of Concord has been very supportive of this project throughout the approval and permitting process.
EnviroVantage is one of those volunteers. EnviroVantage project manager Troy Purington immediately met with Michael Browning at Cobb Hill to coordinate the abatement of asbestos flooring & exterior siding. Once the material is removed, Cobb Hill will be able to begin renovating the home for Bauman's return.
The project began August 5 and run throughout the month with much of the work being completed on the weekends.
The goal is to have the project completed and ready for Bauman and his family by September 8.