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It Takes A Village

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: July 16, 2008

HOLIDAY -- Last year, Jenny and Josh Barker open their home for a pumpkin patch party featuring chili and hayrides for more than 100 people.

On July 5 the Barker house was again full of people. Only this time, there was no Josh.

On June 22, the 31-year-old father of four children ranging in age from 1 to 7 years old died unexpectedly of a heart attack.

At the time of Josh's death, the Barker home was in the midst of a remodeling by Josh. Barker friends decided to finish the job.

"It was people helping people," said Carmen Burnett, president of Growing Great Moms, a group in which her sister, Jenny Barker, is also active.

Even before the day of the event, friends stuccoed, caulked and primed, preparing the Barker home for remodeling. On the work day itself, they put in 11 hours of painting both the inside and outside, adding new molding and installing a swing set donated by the Wal-Mart in Bayonet Point.

Additionally, the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse in New Port Richey donated blinds for all the windows and Pizza Hut in Tarpon Springs chipped in 12 pizzas for the workers.

Members of Growing Great Moms and other Barker friends will give the family a meal every evening for two months.

A trust fund for the children has also been set up.

The Barkers' tragedy has brought out the good in people, said Burnett.

"When something like this happens, you see people you have never seen before," she said. "It restores your faith in the human spirit."

To donate to the trust fund e-mail Carmen Burnet at carmen@growinggreatmoms.com or call 727-326-4277.

For pictures of the July 5 cleanup, go to suncoastnews.com, keyword: GGM Operation Blessings.

Cheryl Bentley can be reached at 727-815-1069 or cbentley@suncoastnews.com.

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