Annie's House Progress - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Annie's House Progress

Many of us remember the story of Anne Nelson...a Stanley native who lost her life in the September 11th attack.

One item on her bucket list is almost complete.

Gary Brode went to the Bottineau Winter Park to see the progression of one of her goals.

It was September when construction began for Annie's House. Since the layout of the building was complete, all construction from then on has been done by volunteers. Hundreds of people giving thousands of hours to check off one item on a girls bucket list. It's the hard work put forth by these selfless people that leads one volunteer to believe...

(Charles Vitchers, Volunteer) "We've got new family now."

That new family is anyone who wants to be a part of Annie's House. A 12,000 square foot ski lodge designed to accommodate the needs of skiers with both physical and cognitive disabilities.

(Charles Vitchers, Volunteer) "Here I think we've fulfilled, dream building. In doing so, we've added to the new generations coming up, a place to get out, enjoy nature and learn something new.

(Gary Brode, KX Reporter) "While construction for Annie's House has not yet been complete. The community already feels the positive effects of a girls dream coming true."

(David O'Connell, District 6 Senator) "It's been an out pouring of love is what it's been for the whole community. It's brought a lot of the community people together."

That impact has some people thinking about other ways to make a difference.

(David O'Connell, District 6 Senator) "Now they're are talking about assistant living, 'Bottineau needs this', 'Bottineau needs more housing development. It's starting to bring the, I shouldn't say it's starting to bring the community together. It's brought the community together!"

What many people may not know about Anne's bucket list was another item including a quote saying "never be ashamed of who I am". Anne's father said she was a person who had a lot of fun in life and had a presence in the room you could recognize right away. He believes his daughter would be so proud of all the work done.

(Gary Nelson, Anne's Father) "If she were here, it would be written all over this Annie's House is 'thank you'. Not only for the economic contribution, but for the time and effort and just for the thoughtfulness."

(Charles Vitchers, Volunteer) "This is Annie's House, but its everyone's home."

A home which makes this reporter believes could be a symbol of unity for an entire community.

In Bottineau, Gary Brode, KX News.

This past Saturday, the Annie's House program had it's first participants in the bi-ski program, which allows skiers with disabilities to hit the slopes with assistance.

Construction is expected to be completed sometime in the summer.