Winter 2008-2009 was cruel but not unusual. We weren’t able to keep up with it, too many drafty shacks, too many propane tanks to buy,and too many more to fill. We didn’t call the coroner this time to ask how many died from exposure. We couldn’t stand to hear that news.

But get this tale….Ron Becker is an uncanny inventor and when he is not gathering wheelchairs and pt equipment for WofA in Denver, he is putzing around in his garage, making things from other things. (Once for a town parade, Ron made a mobile coffin from two wheel chairs and a joy stick. He lay prone in the coffin, his toes just sticking up,drove the parade route, and won the prize). Last year, Ron made his first solar water heater. With the help of our equally creative constructor, Marcelino, they put the collector on the roof of Uvaldo’s, whom you know. (At Christmas 2008, Utah Rotarians,the Cannell family, built Uvaldo’s new room. It was freezing outside, so cold the bond beam pour had ice crystals and couldn’t cure. The family’s water supply in winter is ice water and unbearable.

It was a terrific thrill last month, standing by the faucet in the new room,waiting for the warm water to flow, and it does. And it’s free! No propane tank to buy. No propane heater to buy. No tanks to fill.

Last week Ron and Marcelino built prototype No. 2. Materials were $175, a one time cost! This collector goes to the roof of the RotarySpring Project recipient Maria Alarcon and her family.

Posted by Wings of Angels on Saturday, April 11th, 2009 @ 12:34PM
Categories: 2009