This public letter was contributed by Stacie McGrady. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aqui.

I want to tell you about my friend Sandy Patterson-Jamarck, a lifelong resident of San Benito County.  Sandy is a good person, hard-working, with a big heart.  She is passionate.  She loves God, her Country, her community, and her pets.  If you know Sandy, you already know that.  

Maybe you also know that Sandy was forced from her home after a fire.  On December 22, 2024, Sandy was away at work.  A fire broke out in her kitchen, likely from faulty wiring in the gas stove.  Hollister Fire Department arrived within minutes, rescued the trapped dogs and cats, and contained the fire to the kitchen area.  

Since December, Sandy has struggled to have her home repaired.  A series of unfortunate events has made getting home unbelievably difficult.  You see, in August of 2023, Sandy’s husband Dale passed away.  He had suffered years of health complications, and Sandy was his primary caregiver.  Unbeknownst to Sandy, when Dale passed the USAA homeowners insurance (Dale was a veteran) went unpaid and was cancelled.  So there is no insurance to assist in repairs. 

For two weeks following the fire, Sandy was not allowed into the home to assess damage.  Since then, she and her son Ben have been working diligently to comply with permit requirements, time limits, and a lack of funding.  In the meantime, she still must pay the monthly rent to the mobile home park, for a home she cannot live in.  

Sandy won’t say this, but she is currently homeless.  Couchsurfing, depending on the kindness of friends, these are the unseen homeless people in our community.  If her home cannot be repaired in a timely manner, Sandy will permanently lose her home.

The immediate need is to get the home where it will pass inspection and can be lived in.  This requires repairs to the roof above the kitchen and replacing 4 trusses, limited plumbing in the kitchen, repairs to the electrical system including a new breaker box installation, and repairs to the gas lines for the kitchen stove.  A new stove and hood must be installed, and then the drywall.  Repairing the roof alone is estimated at $10,000.  Eventually the flooring and carpets will need replacement, as well as kitchen cabinets.  There is smoke damage throughout the home, and some water damage mostly limited to the kitchen area. 

Sandy has been a dedicated advocate and volunteer in this community.  When I first met her, we were both involved with the county 4-H program.  Sandy worked for the Sheriff’s Department, and later at Hollister Animal Shelter.  She helped to found the Hollister Police Department Explorer program, is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1000 and was instrumental in the Women’s Peace Officer Association as well as PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California).  Sandy currently volunteers as part of the Homeless coalition for the county, and we just spent a term volunteering on the Civil Grand Jury together.  

Right now, Sandy needs our help. The task in front of her seems overwhelming, and for one or two people it is.  But I believe that we can come together as a community and with our skills and talents, get Sandy Home!

I will be creating an event on Facebook and posting on Nextdoor as well.  We are planning a work party on Friday-Sunday, September 5, 6 and 7. I know this is a big ask but if we break it into smaller parts, it is manageable.  Please help support this effort.  We can’t always save everyone, but we can make a difference for this one. 

Thank you and bless you.   -Stacie McGrady staciejrt@gmail.com or my phone 831-455-5098

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