In better economic times, Noland Williams, owner of Roseville Remodeling Construction, and Alex Arriaga, owner of Shane Alexander Custom Tile & Stone, made a decent living doing home remodels in Roseville and surrounding Placer County cities.
But when the economy slowed and business became sluggish, Williams and Arriaga had a little more time on their hands and began to discuss how they might give back to the community that had supported their businesses for nearly a decade. They noted that their loyal clients were often area seniors who were updating or adding to their homes due to changing needs or adaptations necessitated by aging.
Then it came to them. They could give back to the community and their client base by donating a custom-built wheelchair accessible shower to a local couple who could use some assistance.
Williams and Arriaga, along with colleagues from Roman’s Plumbing, A&A Drywall and Specialized Shower Door & Glass, are currently building a wheelchair accessible shower in the home of Dick and Charlie Ricci in West Roseville. The businesses are donating their time and materials to handle the project, which is valued at nearly $15,000.
‘This project is something so necessary for someone who uses a wheelchair, but is often out-of-reach for those on a fixed income,’ Williams said. ‘We are proud to have found a way to give back to the community that has supported us, and we are thankful that we found a couple like the Ricci’s who accepted our offer with such joy and gratitude.’
The project was started Nov. 2 and will take two weeks to complete. After removing the existing tub-shower combination in the Ricci’s home, the contractors will build a custom ceramic tile shower that allows Dick to easily roll a shower wheelchair into the enclosure. The shower will include grab bars, an adjustable shower head and a custom glass door. The flooring throughout the bathroom will also be replaced, making it flush with the new shower entry. And, the entire space will be large enough for Dick’s wife, Charlie, to assist him.
The construction project comes just in time for the Ricci’s. Dick, who uses a wheelchair for much of each day due to a lifetime of back problems, chronic pain after suffering a broken back in a car accident, as well as suffering from Parkinson’s disease, faces an upcoming back surgery with a long recovery. Doctors plan to do some additional spinal fusions including placing rods and screws in his vertebrae and grafting some bones.
The Ricci’s were amazed by the offer from a team of complete strangers.
‘What a huge blessing this will be for us,’ commented Charlie Ricci. ‘We were completely shocked by the offer from the contractors. We are so thrilled and grateful beyond.