More than Two Dozen Fix Home of Ailing Frater
OMAHA, Neb. - An Omaha man with serious health problems got a visit from more than 30 Fraters who created their own version of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Members of Delta-Nu Chapter (Northwest Missouri State Univ.) came from all over the country to help Frater Pete Greve (Delta-Nu), a former classmate and Frater in Missouri who is now battling cancer. See the Full Story.
"He needed our support," said Frater Bruce Barlow (Delta-Nu). "We're here to help him."
"We wanted to come see him, but we didn't want to sit on our hands," said Frater Merle Jones (Delta-Nu). Jones said he asked Greve if he needed anything.
"He said, 'Well, there are a couple things around the house I could use some help with,'" Jones said.
Jones took the list he received from Greve and put word out to fellow Fraters over the Internet, and before he knew it, dozens of them showed up in Omaha on Saturday to get down to work.
Hammers and saws flew into action on the front walkway. Old windows came out and new ones were caulked in, thanks to donations from a window company that heard about the project.
"I sent our rep to find out what we could do to help," said Stephen Noel of Pella Windows in Omaha.
Fraters also reached into their own pockets to pay for thousands of dollars worth of materials used in the project.
"It's overwhelming, humbling and touching," said Greve.
"The choice by Pete has been made to forego chemo to be non-lethargic during the next few days as his crew of fraternity brothers ascend upon us to do long overdue and much needed home repairs," said Stacia Greve, his wife. "Pete is so absolutely unsure as to why so many of his extended college family would come from places like Texas, North Carolina, Chicago, Kansas City, and towns all over IA and MO to help us in this time of need. I know it goes way beyond his presidency and all he did for them so long ago. Never having had the college sorority experience, I am in awe of how deep this bond is, even 30-some years later."
To date new windows and doors have been installed, a screen porch has been rescreened, and steps have been redone. In addition, new coats of paint cover the house, the master bathroom has been painted and a new vanity and sink has been installed, and landscaping is in progress.
Frater Pete (Grand Council Society) is a Knight of Apollo, meaning he was a member of the TKE Professional Staff, from 1975-1980. He served the Grand Chapter as Chapter Services Director, Staff Assistant in the Summer of 1976, and Executive Assistant from January 1978 - December 1980. .
TKE will be following the developments of this project and bring them as soon as they become available. If you would like to help out, click here.
Adapted from KETV.com News Report. If you would like to see your chapter or alumni news here, contact Director of Communication Tom McAninch.