Bledsoe General Contracting, Inc

Conor Harrison The Kerrville Daily Times

Published December 31, 2008

Christmas for the Reyna family was a huge success this year thanks to the generosity of many throughout the Kerrville community.

Many people read the Times articles about the families struggle to help their son, Zackary, 8, fight a life-threatening brain aneurysm that could rupture at any moment.

The family recently purchased their first home — a three-bedroom, one-bath “fixer-upper” that needed significant work.

That work came unexpectedly from dozens of volunteers and businesses around the community that pitched in and transformed the house into a four-bedroom, two-bath, fully-furnished home.

Organizers told the family to stay out of the home until work could be completed. What awaited the Reyna family was a dream come true when they pulled up to the residence on Dec. 21.

“We knew the home needed a lot of work,” said Soyla Reyna. “It was so overwhelming as to how surprised we all were when we pulled up. I know how the people on the TV show (Extreme Home Makeover) feel.”

Seventy-five people stood outside the home to welcome the family.

“During Dec. 8 through Dec. 20, a major renovation was taking place,” said Jessica Robinson of the Hill Country Home Builders Association in an e-mail to the Times. “The garage was turned into a master bedroom and bathroom: The drywall was replaced and painted; the air conditioning unit was updated; the kitchen cabinetry, appliances and lighting were replaced; the original bathroom was completely renovated with a walk-in shower and new vanity and all of the original flooring was replaced with tile and wood floors.”

“This was truly an expression of the love of Jesus Christ,” said Del Way, the Reyna’s pastor, as he blessed the home.

Zackary got the “zebra-room” he always wanted, and the Reyna’s other children, J.J. and Eli now have bedrooms of their own. Zackary also got the puppy, a sheltie-terrier mix, that he wanted for Christmas and couldn’t have before because the apartment complex where the family lived did not allow dogs. The dog has been trained as a care dog for Zackary.

“I’m speechless as to how the community came together,” Reyna said. “Everything that Zack has wanted has now been fulfilled. He’s a different child now — he’s really come out of his shell.”

The many volunteers who made the renovation possible where just as thrilled as the Reyna’s.

“God’s providential hand was in every stage of this renovation — even down to the smallest detail,” said family friend Jennifer Bledsoe of Bledsoe General Contracting, who helped with the project. “It was really awesome how the community came together. This is such a great family. The boys are very respectful — Jerry and Soyla have done an amazing job raising them. Nobody did this for recognition. We all did it for Jesus Christ.”

The home was fully furnished for the family and they donated their old furniture to the Hill Country Youth Program.

The family wanted to thank the many businesses that donated time, materials and labor to the project including Bledsoe General Contracting, Hill Country Lighting, Integrity Homes, Billy Hardy Custom Cabinets, McCoy’s, M.G. Building Centers, Farber Enterprises, Lowe’s, Kerrville Mattress Gallery, Maldonado Landscaping, Lone Star Containers, State Air, Moore’s and Kerrville Framing, plus loads of individuals too numerous to mention.

“All of this makes life so much easier for us on a daily basis,” Reyna added. “Thanks to everyone.”