Ministry Makes Dream Come True

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Last weekend The News On 6 told you the story of a Tulsa grandmother whose house caught fire during the ice storm.

A group of contractors have been volunteering their time since Labor Day to help rebuild the home and just a few hours ago they handed over the keys.

Since last Thanksgiving, Lynda Salter lost her house, lost her husband and lost her life savings to a bad contractor. Her story inspired others to step up and The News On 6 was there for the Salter's first steps into her new home.

Lynda Salter spent the last year living with out-of-town family, but because of dedicated volunteers her exile is over.

"I'm just happy, happy to be gettin' to go home," said Salter.     

It started out as a bunch of friends who were good with a hammer. Then those friends, contractors all, formed a charity.

"You just don't know what people are capable of, what people are willing to do, until the need presents itself, but everybody just gave and gave and gave," said Homebuilder Tim Walterbach.

The Common Wealth Ministries is about making dreams come true. First up was to get Salter back home.

Common Wealth installed a new kitchen with granite countertops.

"I'm gonna enjoy comin' in here to cook," said Salter.

New floors, new furniture, new washing machine.

"I'm so impressed to see so many people working, volunteering, reaching out, and helping each other. I know that is God's hand, and I'm just really excited," said Jack Henderson of the Tulsa City Council.

Henderson says he'll do everything he can to make sure this happy ending isn't the only one.

"With the help of the people that's been doing the work, we can sit down with the mayor, with the new administration, and just talk about how we can reach out and help some people," said Henderson.

No matter how small the volunteer, he says every effort makes a big difference.

Councilman Henderson says he'll be in touch with the Common Wealth contractors about providing them with city funds for their efforts.

In the meantime, the group is busy with its second official project installing a new furnace for a 90-year-old woman in North Tulsa.

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