by Sally Sedgwick

About eight years ago, Charlie and Jess Hazzard started a heating and air conditioning business and named it Spring Lake Heating and Air.

They built their business helping residents in northern Itasca County, but when Charlie was asked to help with ideas to fix the heating at the Riverside Residence in Bigfork, he had to share bad news. “There was no easy fix,” he recalled. The vintage equipment included three cast iron oil fired boilers.  The original equipment from 1938 but even this equipment was beyond its usable life..

The owner was receptive to selling, so he took the idea back to Jess.  In five minutes, he said, the decision was made. “Yes!  We’re going to look into it,” they said.

It fit a vision that the Hazzards had held for a long time. When the family had moved up to the northwoods, it was to relocate to a safe environment for their much loved but autistic adult child away from the congestion of a city. Another son, Sam, was enrolled in a master’s program at Mankato State. Then, in 2022 he passed away.  The couple thought that in the future, they might find a way to use their life experiences to help fill needs for those facing similar challenges.

But, said Jess, they didn’t envision a project quite this large.  “I guess God had a different plan for us,” she said with a smile. 

The project was named “Sam’s Place” after Jess’s son, a person they remember as full of love for people.  “His heart,” recalled Charlie, “was as big as the Montana sky.”

But first, said Charlie, they needed a plan. And that plan had to include correcting plat lines that hadn’t really been looked at for decades.  In fact, a street was platted through the middle of the building. With the city of Bigfork, they worked through the changes needed.

Then all the major systems needed to be updated.  The electrical systems were first. Some of the old fuses had actually caught on fire.  A new boiler system was installed, and all the windows on the first floor replaced to hold the heat.  A new roof on the back section was needed and built with trusses and metal roofing to correct leaking issues.  The major systems alone required an investment of over $160,000.

Then there was scrubbing. And cleaning up the outdoor grounds. And painting and patching. And trim work. And outside doors. And a security system.

This all required hands-on work.  A lot of work.  And the community responded. Outside contractors like Lovdahl Electric, Storlie Construction and Lakeside Lumber helped with pricing. Spring Lake Heating and Air donated the boilers and installation. Dahlke Dumpsters donated dumpsters and fees. The hands that scrubbed, painted and nailed came from many community volunteers, some of whom had their own life experiences to share, and who understood the importance of the project.

After the structure came the furnishings.  First Presbyterian Church secured new mattresses, box springs and linens. Handsewn quilts were provided by other churches and quilting groups.  Volunteers made roman shades and put together toiletry baskets. Chairs, lamps and tables were donated, engaging local churches, the hospital and community members.

A nonprofit was formed to meet the needs of residents with Charlie Hazzard as president.

The front first floor rooms were finished first; it would be a women’s wing for 6 residents with private bedrooms and two shared bathrooms. A medicine dispensing window, dining room, kitchen and apartment for overnight staff are also complete with exercise and conference rooms planned. Two people and the overnight staff are currently in residence. 

A men’s wing is next.  Also planned are a new handicapped ramp and elevator, new paint on the building, an outside sitting flower garden overlooking the river and a vegetable garden for the residents. Charlie is hoping to install air conditioning by summer 2026. Jess hopes to start a mentorship program to connect community members to residents for conversation, classes or outside events.

People are often not aware of the need for housing and help with living, said Jess. For instance, there are those who have no family and just need a little assistance, she pointed out.  When finished, 15 men and women can be served at Sam’s Place.

Clients generally are on county housing programs, but there are no age limits. Senior living is an option, either over 65 with assistance due to low or no income, under 65 with low income and a qualifying disability, or private pay. Meals and medication management are provided, but at present hands-on services like showering are not available.

Sam’s Place has been fortunate in finding staff who go above and beyond, and who have a passion for taking care of people, said Charlie.  There are currently four staff plus Charlie and Jess.

Immediate needs?  The facility needs a van in good working condition to take residents to outside activities. For the new wing, dressers are needed. Cash donations to help with operating capital are welcome; a Blandin Foundation grant application has been submitted.

For more information or to visit Sam’s Place, contact Jess or Charlie at (218) 256-9154, by email at SamsPlaceBF@gmail.com, or online on Facebook or at SamsPlaceNorth.com.