The three-acre property adjoining CARE became available in late 2003. The board voted to purchase it with a bequest from former participant, Ethel Huber, that had been set aside for a respite program. We needed the additional property because there wasn¹t enough room on the original property for a building plus the required septic system.

The new property came with an old 780 square-foot, two bedroom house. The house had been unoccupied for awhile, so it needed both renovation and remodeling for our purpose.

Board member, Don Burks, volunteered to be in charge of the project. Knowing CARE lacked the funds, Don used his own equipment and paid laborers out of his pocket to clear the long neglected pasture, and he paid for most of the building materials, including all new bathroom fixtures to create a handicapped-accessible bathroom.

Many other Escapees members followed Don’s lead and donated their money and their labor. One volunteer was a skilled electrician. He completely replaced the antiquated wiring that had no ground system. Some volunteers laid a new water line for a new septic system and others removed parts of walls to widen doorways, while still others built ramps to make it all wheelchair accessible. One lady made new curtains and then the entire house was painted inside and out.

Why Pearl’s Place?
Don Burks was the driving force behind the renovation. He planned to have his mother, a longtime participant, as the first person to use it. Due to her stroke during the remodeling period, that never happened. Because of their extensive donations of money and time, the Board agreed that we name the cottage after Pearl Burks.