The weather didn’t exactly cooperate, but that could not stop a project that’s been in the works since late October, as a groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the Village of Lake Orion site of the soon-to-be constructed home for the Schrauger family.
‘We’re overwhelmed,? Cliff Schrauger said. ‘It’s nice to have some positive things like this.?
The Schraugers lost two teenage sons in a fatal traffic accident and a third son is recovering from serious wounds suffered on Father’s Day while serving in Iraq.
In addition to the groundbreaking, son David was married a few weeks ago and daughter Kristina has a wedding set for this weekend, helping bring joy to parents Cliff and Vicki.
‘We’re very grateful to the way this community has stepped forward,? said the Rev. Tom Hopkins. ‘Their loss was enormous and it’s going to take them years to recover.?
The groundbreaking was held at 316 Newton Court, in the Newton Meadows subdivision. On hand was Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, along with Clarkston builder Forrest Milzow, who will head up construction on the project.
The groundbreaking comes six weeks after Patterson first announced the project to help the family. He said the goal is to build and furnish a new home for the family in six months, mortgage free. No taxpayer money is being used to build the home.
‘I think the process has moved extremely fast,? Patterson said. ‘It wouldn’t have been possible but for the support of the community and the benefactors who stepped up.?
With that, he turned the process over to Milzow, who said a basement should be put in within the week.
The Schraugers are currently living in a cottage on the north side of Lake Orion, that was donated by Robert Cicilian and family, during the construction of their new house.
Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said the effort by everyone is an example of the community living out the notion that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh agreed.
‘You can lose a house, you can experience an unthinkable tragedy, but you cannot lose your community,? Narsh said.
‘We’re very proud to stand beside you today in what we hope will be a place of comfort for you,? he added.
Brothers Joshua, 17, and Timothy, 14, were killed in a traffic accident in Clinton County on Sept. 29. Both boys were students at Lake Orion High School.
David, 24, a U.S. Army specialist, was seriously injured when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. He suffered leg, arm, spine and lung injuries.
The Schraugers had also lost their home due to foreclosure several months earlier.
To date, commitments have been made to cover more than 80-percent of the goods or services needed for the home. A website was created for the project at www.oakgov.com/house.
A page will be added to the site that will include updates on the progress of the home’s construction.

Goodrich- Ryan Lopez is home. At least for the moment.
Lopez, 20, was welcomed back to Goodrich at around 7:30 p.m. on March 22 with a celebration at The Bull Ring, 8234 M-15, after spending nearly a year serving with the United States Marine Corps in Ramadiyah, Iraq.
A 2005 graduate of Goodrich High School, Lopez’s aunt, Diane Tankersley, said the Lance Corporal never got to participate in commencement ceremonies because of his obligations to the service.
‘He never made his graduation because (the Marines) came and got him, so he never go to go to his commencement or walk with them or anything,? said Tankersley.
Lopez is a landing support specialist whose duties include helicopter landing support.and is the son of Richard and Florence Lopez, also of Goodrich.
Tankersley said Lopez will be leaving in mid-April to return to Camp Pendleton in California, before likely being depolyed again to Iraq to finish his four year commitment.
‘He’s always wanted to be a Marine, since he was a little boy,? said Tankersley. ‘His dad was a Marine in the ?70s. Since he was a little boy that was his life, to grow up and be a Marine like his dad. He wanted to make his family proud and he has.?