That’s where Diguette thought Weistroffer could help. The two thought that if they could get a group of volunteers together and get donations from the community, they could renovate the Scalf home and make it more comfortable for the growing family.
“I thought it was typical Darren,” Weistroffer said. “Darren is always trying to do big things for people. We were excited to help out.”
Weistroffer is the owner/operator of CMK Construction and jumped at the chance to offer his services, and the services of his entire crew, to help out the family. Diguette’s wife, Brittin, arranged for a limousine to take the family to Lexington for a weekend while the crews descended on their home.
The Diguettes, Weistroffer and Weistroffer’s girlfriend, Kristy Rainey, organized volunteers, picked out furniture and decorations and made sure the family was taken care of for the weekend.
“I was nervous because the more we got into it, the more we wanted to do, and the more we got to know the family, the more we wanted to do,” Weistroffer said.
The biggest project was converting the garage into bedrooms for Sophie, 9, and Aiden, 7. Although Rainey and Weistroffer met with the family to get their input on the project, the Scalfs weren’t sure what was waiting for them when they walked through their front doors.
“This is above and beyond anything we dreamed of,” Amy Scalf said when she saw her children’s new rooms for the first time. “I don’t think there’s even one best part.”
Amy is a teacher at Winchester Christian Academy, and David is a full-time minister at Christ Church of Winchester. When the couple decided to foster and adopt, Amy said, she and David knew it wouldn’t be easy, but their children have been the greatest blessings in their lives.
“We always say six is no different than three. You’re outnumbered anyway,” Amy said.
Aiden spent Sunday afternoon jumping on his new Spiderman bed and Sophie curled up on her new bed to watch movies on a flat screen TV.
For Amy, though, the best part is a new kitchen table big enough to seat her entire family. She and David were also treated to a redecorated bedroom so they could have a space to get away from the kids for awhile.
“It’s incredible,” Amy said of all the renovations.
In 2006, the Scalf family lost three-year-old son Isaac after he suffered a seizure on Christmas Day. Diguette said that, despite the loss, the Scalfs have never hesitated to bring more children into their home. A framed photo hangs on the kitchen wall to remind everyone of the family member not at the new kitchen table.
When it came to helping the Scalfs, there was no shortage of community support.
“There was no task that people were unwilling to do. They worked their hearts out,” Diguette said. “I don’t know that we could’ve imagined how good folks would be.”
The Scalfs admitted that they were overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people.
“Most of these people don’t even know us,” David said of the crowd of volunteers.
Upon seeing her bedroom for the first time, Sophie had a simple response: “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
More than anything, the Scalfs are excited to see their children so happy and to be able to provide them with a more comfortable home.
“It’s a blessing. … I think this is the plan for our life,” Amy said.
Contact Rachel Parsons at rparsons@winchesterun.com.
