New Albany man to receive handicapped-accessible bathroom free of charge

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December 15, 2009

By CHRIS MORRIS The News and Tribune Tue Dec 15, 2009, 08:33 AM EST

Jason Peppers received his Christmas gift a week early, but he�s not complaining.

Peppers� bathroom at his home at 810 W. Ninth St. in New Albany, is being completely remodeled. The work is expected to be finished by the end of the week, according to William Prifogle, president of Will�z Construction. Prifogle is heading up the operation.

Peppers suffers from cerebral palsy and his new bathroom will be handicapped accessible which will allow him to go into the bathroom without assistance thanks to wider doors and a roll-in bathtub, Prifogle said.

Prifogle said each year his company, and the sub-contractors he works with, try to do a service project for someone in need. He said he contacts several social organizations to find a family in need of home improvement work.

That is when he came across Peppers� story.

�He was close to home and we�re a New Albany-based company. And we saw where he had a need,� Prifogle said.

The new room will look like a �home show bathroom� when complete, according to Prifogle. He said the total cost of the work for most homeowners would be $10,000, but it�s free to Peppers.

�We have taken the bathroom down to the studs and had to replace the floor joist. It�s an extensive job,� Prifogle said.

Peppers, 36, lives at the home with his father Charlie. He said he was excited when he found out he was getting a new bathroom.

�I thank God for all the people who will help make this possible,� Peppers said Monday afternoon. �All the companies have collaborated and I am very happy about it. It will now be easier for the people taking care of me.�

Prifogle said the job is a team effort. Besides Will�z Construction other team members on the project include Onsite Plumbing, PC Building Materials, Imperial Marble, Toby Ables Drywall, Mike Floyd Painters, Sherwin Williams and Southern Indiana Flooring.

�Every one of my vendors are passionate about home improvement, and they all get excited about this each year,� Prifogle said. �Now everyone wants to be involved. They will still be talking about it two months from now and they started talking about it two months ago. They wanted to know the plan.�

Prifogle said despite the slow economy, his team was determined not to let it affect the donations made each year to a remodel job.

�When all is said and done, it�s not about the money, it�s about people helping people. I am grateful for the opportunity to have such a positive impact on a person�s life,� Prifogle said.