St. Marys couple get new home

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - A St. Marys couple was named the recipient of the next Lots for Soldiers house.

"We're overwhelmed," a smiling yet teary-eyed Tasha Stoker said while standing alongside her husband, Corey Stoker, at the annual Lots for Soldiers Duck Races fundraiser at Bayview Pub on a snowy Saturday afternoon.

Living up to its mission, Lots for Soldiers selected the veteran and his wife to receive the organization's fourth home for a soldier as a way to say thanks for serving his country.

Corey Stoker served in the United States Marine Corps from 2000-2004 across the county and in Iraq.

His mother, Tammy Stoker, said he is a deserving recipient because of his service, but noted she knew her son was too humble to fill out an application himself.

"A coworker gave him the application. He told me, 'This is nice but I can't ask for something like this,'" she said.

Her son left the paperwork on her desk, so she filled it out and applied to have several areas of his house repaired.

Lots for Soldiers officials reviewed the application and decided to ask if the couple if they would rather receive a new house instead, LFS vice president Paul Slone said.

Corey and Tasha Stoker were overcome with joy when they told Tammy Stoker the good news.

"They came to my home both in tears," the mother said. "I thought something was drastically wrong. He said, 'There's nothing wrong, but you're not going to be believe this.' We were all crying like babies."

Slone and his wife, Jennifer Barciz, said it felt good being able to announce the recipients of the next home to be built because Lots for Soldiers has changed their lives as well.

"This fundraiser is real special because our family benefited from it," she said and noted their family received the home built on Lynn Street in St. Marys. "It's nice for it to go full circle for our family and pass the torch."

The duck races is Lots for Soldiers kickoff fundraiser for the year. Every penny raised will go toward construction of the house, Barciz pointed out.

The Stoker's new home will be built by Tri Star Career Compact construction students.

"All the kids are excited, and it should be a really neat thing for them," construction teacher Brett McGillvary said.

Being a part of the project fulfills Tri Star's motto, compact director Tim Buschur pointed out.

"Part of what we do at Tri Star is give back to the community. What a better way than doing this," he added.

The Stokers said they are beyond thankful for Lots for Soldiers.
  "We are overwhelmed," Tasha Stoker said. "Lots for Soldiers puts their blood, sweat and tears into this organization.

In addition to homes, the organization is seeking applications for small projects they call "blessings." For more information, visit lotsforsoldiers.com.