SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) – For twenty years, Ray Toth stayed ready. Whenever the fire pager chirped, he answered, sacrificing his time, energy, and personal resources to help strangers in their darkest hours. As a volunteer, Toth gave without hesitation to the Summers County community, never asking for anything in return.
Today, the roles have reversed. The man who spent two decades protecting local homes now finds his own in a state of dangerous disrepair, and he needs his neighbors to answer the call.
According to Curtis Yearego, Executive Director of WV Dis(EN)Abled, Toth’s struggle began in 2023 when his residence required essential structural repairs. Despite Toth’s initial attempts to seek assistance, his requests went unanswered for years. Now, three years after his troubles began, WV Dis(EN)Abled has stepped in to ensure Toth is no longer left behind.
The most urgent issue is a collapsed porch, which has stripped Toth of a safe entrance to his own home. While a structural failure of this size is a hazard for anyone, Toth’s disability makes the situation tenable. Currently, he faces the daily fear of further injury just trying to access his front door.
He is not one to complain, Yearego noted. He only wants what anyone wants: a safe place to live where he doesn’t fear getting hurt just going inside.
When Yearego learned that Toth’s disability and financial situation were preventing these critical repairs, his organization immediately mobilized. WV Dis(EN)Abled is partnering with P&M Development and Daniel Lucas AIA Architecture to spearhead the restoration. Lucas, a respected architect, has already successfully completed two prior projects with the organization.
However, professional expertise is only half of the equation. To restore safety and dignity to Toth’s home, the project requires the financial backing of the community he once served.
For projects like this to be successful, it requires a lift from the community, Yearego noted. The organization is looking for support from the neighbors Ray helped so selflessly for 20 years, and from anyone who wants to make a tangible difference in the life of a man who gave so much.
Donations are currently being accepted to fund the materials and labor required for the renovation. To contribute or to learn more about the project, please contact Curtis Yearego. Website: wvdinc.org. Social Media: Follow the WV Dis(EN)Abled Facebook page for real-time updates on the construction progress.
