Grateful Utah widow: “Nobody wants to leave their home”
OREM, Utah — One of Fuller Center for Housing founder Millard Fuller’s final initiatives before his unexpected passing in 2009 was the launch of the Greater Blessing program. Today, it has become a primary focus for many Fuller Center covenant partners across the nation.
The Greater Blessing program helps low-income homeowners — often elderly or living with disabilities — address critical health and safety repairs. In many cases, those repairs allow homeowners to remain in houses they might otherwise be forced to leave.
While homeowners who partner to build new Fuller Center houses repay construction costs over time — with no interest charged and no profit made — Greater Blessing projects work differently. There is no legal repayment requirement. Instead, homeowners are encouraged to repay the cost of repairs as they are able. Like Fuller Center mortgages, any repayments stay in the local community to help other families in need.
At its heart, the program reflects the Greater Blessing described in Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And while repayment is never required, many homeowners eagerly embrace the opportunity to pay it forward.
Bardonna Zollinger is one of many seniors grateful for the program. The 90-year-old Orem resident feared she would not be able to remain in the home she loves without much-needed repairs.
Having raised seven children while working a dry farm and ranch in Idaho — land that depended entirely on rainfall — and later caring for others as a registered nurse in Utah, Zollinger is no stranger to hard work. Still, she knows her limits.
“I needed some help here, and at 90 years old, there’s just a lot you can’t do,” Zollinger recalled of her situation in 2022, before learning about The Fuller Center for Housing of Utah County. “I called them, and they came — and they were just wonderful. Oh my gosh, I was so impressed. They just jumped in and got the job done.”
“Nobody wants to leave their home,” she added. “They’re familiar with it. They feel comfortable. And care centers aren’t always the very best place to go. It’s so much easier to stay in your home. I’m so impressed there’s an organization that cares enough about older people to help them.”
Her gratitude didn’t stop there. Zollinger soon told Ann Coleman of The Fuller Center of Utah County about her friend Marge, now 92, who needed even more extensive work — including a roof repair. Marge was so thankful that she has since become a monthly donor to Fuller Center of Utah County.
“It just builds your faith in people to know there are people out there who care about other people,” Zollinger said. “I like to be a part of that. I can’t do the work myself anymore, but if I can make a contribution, that’s what I want to do.”
Recently, Zollinger contacted Coleman again — this time about a smaller project for Marge, who needed permanent grab bars installed to safely use her bathtub. Zollinger offered to pay for the materials, and Fuller Center of Utah County agreed to take on the project.
But the chain of giving continued. Tanner Glass & Hardware donated the materials and completed the installation. While on site, an employee noticed other items in need of replacement. He purchased those materials himself and completed the work.
In turn, Zollinger donated the funds she had set aside for the project to Fuller Center of Utah County’s general fund, helping ensure other homeowners could receive assistance.
“It’s just amazing how people will help you like that,” Zollinger said. “The kindness and consideration — it’s overwhelming. I’m just amazed by the program.”
If there is a Fuller Center covenant partner in your area, contact them and let them know that you would like to support their work financially or as a volunteer.
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