Warner Family Leaves GIfts, Offerings For Cedar Rapids Block

By Chris Earl, Anchor/Reporter

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By Chris Earl

Story Created: Dec 19, 2009 at 3:34 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 28, 2010 at 5:04 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - As Kurt Warner spent his Saturday in Michigan getting ready to face the Detroit Lions, his own mother was walking through the 1100 block of 8th Street NW in Cedar Rapids, bags and stockings in hand and Christmas cheer in her voice.

“Merry Christmas!” Sue Warner belted out every time someone answered her knock.

“Every year Kurt does a Christmas project in Cedar Rapids,” Warner said. “This is the one he wanted to hook up with Block by Block.” Block by Block is an organization that works to rebuild blocks and neighborhoods damaged and destroyed by the flood in June 2008.

Sue Warner and her immediate family, including her toddler-aged grandsons, walked over the snowbanks and icy sidewalks to offer Christmas greetings to the people who have been through so much.

“Here’s someone doing something nice for us and not expecting anything in return,” said Kimberly Stripling. Stripling stood outside of her flooded property after meeting Sue Warner and accepting the gift basket and stocking. “It’s just such a blessing.”

Brian Stripling said he owned the property for 14 years and that they have moved elsewhere and have no plans to return to 8th Street NW to live. A person walking throughout this specific block would come across about half of the homes with people living inside and the other half of the homes boarded up.

Warner was far from alone as about a dozen family members and friends helped canvas the block in about an hour.

Courtney Ball of the group Matthew 25 works with the Block by Block project. He said the 1100 block of 8th Street NW is still in the very early stages of getting back to normal.

“This is the most recent block to sign on to the Block by Block,” said Ball. “They have been meeting for a few weeks now and have agreed to sign the covenant.” Ball added his group has been busy with other blocks in the neighborhood and are looking to get this block ready for improvements by late February or March, depending on the weather.

Through the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation, Sue Warner worked to get the names of the block’s children for personalized stockings. Hugs from strangers often followed as she gladly uncluttered her hands and handed over the gifts.

“They’ve got gloves, mittens, slippers, goodies,” said Warner when asked about the offerings. Warner also said people received a gift card to Best Buy and plenty of chocolate.

Warner and her family understand the devastation of the flood as their nearby business, Schumacher Carpets, took on six feet of water as well last year.

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