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The house that hope built

Joel Koyama, Star Tribune

Patrick Noonan, president of O’Noonan Construction, and Amy Gaston in the Gastons’ new kitchen.

Rather than getting derailed by a client's cancer diagnosis, a local contractor turned a remodeling job into a personal project and fundraiser.

By SUSIE EATON HOPPER, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: June 10, 2009 - 7:40 AM

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The pink ribbon project What: An open house fundraiser for the Love/Avon Army of Women, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to breast cancer. When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. Where: 7408 Washburn Av. S., Richfield. Cost: The $5 tax-deductible fee includes five raffle tickets, snacks and home tour. Information: www.onoonan.com/pinkribbon.

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The two-story home at 7408 Washburn Av. S. is the house that hope built.

Once a 900-square-foot, nondescript, single-story dwelling, it's now a 3,000-square-foot fundraiser, a symbol for cancer awareness and a beacon for the best in us all.

And it started with a simple bid.

In May 2008, Amy and Harry Gaston asked remodeler Patrick Noonan, president of O'Noonan Construction, for a remodeling bid. The Gastons had decided to stay in the Richfield neighborhood they loved instead of moving to a larger house for their growing family.

Shortly before they were supposed to break ground on the project, Amy, then 39, learned that she had breast cancer. The couple assumed they would have to put their plans for a bigger, better home on hold. But when Amy told Noonan about her diagnosis, he had a different idea.

Noonan, whose mother is a 17-year survivor of breast cancer, said "Amy, you are going to be fine. You have a very treatable disease." Then he offered to do the remodeling at cost, to find suppliers and subcontractors to help -- and to raise money for breast cancer research while doing it.

With that offer, Noonan went from contractor to marketer. Everywhere he went, he told the Gastons' story. One by one, he was able to line up partners, sponsors, donations and labor.

Soon, he had Cambria countertops, landscaping and tumbled stone sidewalks from Magnolia Landscape and Design Co. and appliances from Warners' Stellian. Painted Ambiance created a custom backsplash in the kitchen. ProSource brought in materials and labor.

And it wasn't only the companies that donated. Noonan, who lives less than a mile from the Gastons, found out that many of the laborers would put in a full day on another job, then come to the Gastons to spend a few hours laying tile, hanging drywall or installing carpet.

Although he used the plans from the initial bid, Noonan went beyond what the Gastons had asked for, adding a second story with a laundry, a master bath and an open layout that featured a kitchen with an island the size of Maryland at its heart.

The Gastons, who moved in with Amy's sister during construction, moved back home this spring. In May, Noonan hosted a party in the Gastons' kitchen to thank all the people who helped with the house.

Saturday, they'll open up the house once again, this time for a fundraiser. In Amy's honor, Noonan is calling it the Pink Ribbon Project. Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers will donate door prizes for the event and proceeds will go to the Army of Women, a nonprofit research group dedicated to breast cancer.

Susie Eaton Hopper is a Minneapolis freelance writer.

THE PINK RIBBON PROJECT

WHAT: An open house fundraiser for the Love/Avon Army of Women, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to breast cancer.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: 7408 Washburn Av. S., Richfield.

COST: The $5 tax-deductible fee includes five raffle tickets, snacks and home tour.

MORE INFORMATION: www.onoonan.com/pinkribbon.

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