The devastating effect of the March 14, 2024, tornado on the residents of Lakeview has left the community still recovering more than a year later. But two of those victims—Carl Bok, who’s disabled, and his brother, Ed, a disabled veteran—finally have a place to call home.
It all started thanks to a Facebook post asking for help. Carl’s house, which he’d lived in since 2005, needed to be tarped due to roof damage. Sean Rank with D&S Construction volunteered.
The Saturday after the storm, Sean headed over to the two-story building on North Main Street in Lakeview to help out.
“I got to know Carl and heard his story,” Sean said. “And I realized his house was, likely, not savable.”
Unfortunately, Carl was also under-insured, which limited what he could do about his situation. Brainstorming solutions, Sean reached out to Donna Cook, executive director with the Western Ohio Home Builders Association (WOHBA), to see if they had any funding options.
The timing, according to Cook, couldn’t have been better. In fact, she said, “It was fate.”
Shortly before hearing from Sean, Cook had been contacted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) regarding their disaster relief fund. They had heard of the damage to the area and wondered if they could help.
The NAHB assists with one project a year, and in 2024, they chose Carl’s house, providing a $40,000 grant, which is the most they’ve ever given, Sean stated.
Though it could only be used for materials, the amount was enough to cover the framing package, windows and doors, siding, roofing and the interior trim package. Sean and his dad, Doug—who co-own D&S—discounted their services to make the home a reality.
And they weren’t alone. Local partners like 84 Lumber, Clark’s Door Service, Casto Landscaping and Zach Snyder Flooring and Design, all members of WOHBA, contributed to the project.
Six months after they started building — on Friday, April 25 — Sean handed the keys to Carl, welcoming him to his new two-bedroom, one-bath house with a two-car garage. At one story and without steps, it’s also more handicap-accessible than the previous dwelling.
Ben Poeppelman, WOHBA president, shared some remarks during the handover ceremony: “This home, standing strong and full of hope, is more than just walls and a roof. It’s a symbol of what we can do when compassion meets craftsmanship.”
Since moving out of the old house, the Carl and his brother have been living in a place rented by their insurance company. Feeling overwhelmed, Carl expressed gratitude, especially to Sean, who served as WOHBA president in 2023 and 2024.
“He pushed me forward to get this done,” Carl admitted. “I have nothing but appreciation for him and his crew.
“It’s hard to put into words.”
