In the heart of Utah’s Uintah Basin, a story of resilience and community spirit unfolds, centered around Sarah Barton—a woman who has faced unimaginable loss and emerged with the support of her neighbors and a local company determined to make a difference.
A Year of Heartbreak
The Barton family’s world began to crumble in June 2023 when Sarah and her husband, Cody, a dedicated local law enforcement officer, lost their first grandchild at just three months old. As they struggled with this devastating loss, fate had more trials in store.
In December of the same year, another cruel blow struck the Bartons. The home they had built In Bridgeland was engulfed in flames. Cody rushed to extinguish the fire, but the wind carried embers from an ash bucket across their back porch. Within minutes, the house was reduced to ash, burning down right before the family’s eyes.
But the cruelest blow was yet to come. On January 28, 2024, after returning from a night shift, Cody passed away suddenly, leaving Sarah a widow and sole provider for their children.
“Sarah has been left to deal with the horrible tragedy of losing her granddaughter, her home, and her husband and best friend within 8 months,” the family friend explains. “The struggle she is dealing with is every second, every minute, every hour, every day for the rest of her life.”
A Community Answers the Call
The stories of loss could have ended there, but instead, they became the foundation for something greater—a chance for Sarah to experience the grace and generosity of a community she and her family had served for so long. BHI, the construction company, with a deep commitment to service as one of its Core Values, learned of Sarah’s plight and was determined to help.
“When I first heard about Sarah’s situation, I knew we had to step in,” said Justin Parker, Vice President of BHI. “It wasn’t just about rebuilding a home. It was about giving her and her kids a place where they could start to heal and find a sense of peace after everything they’d gone through.”
The project quickly grew beyond BHI’s initial scope. Local businesses and community members rallied around the cause, offering donations and discounted services. From landscaping companies to glass manufacturers, the outpouring of support was overwhelming.
“The builder who rebuilt her house provided garden boxes,” Parker notes. “The sod company gave us materials at cost, and a local tree service donated all the bark for the yard. A landscaping company donated plants and trees, a business provided a water feature, and a local artist donated time to create a memorial bench.”
Building More Than a Home
As the project took shape the transformation was dramatic. Where once stood charred remains, a beautiful home emerged, complete with a lush lawn, garden boxes, and even a water feature. “The nine-year-old had told me that she has never lived in a home that had grass,” Parker shares. “So this was super special.”
BHI employees, alongside community volunteers, worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition. Over two days, approximately 35 BHI staff members dedicated their time and effort to install a swing set, trampoline, and complete the landscaping.
“You can see in the pictures how it progressed,” Parker explains. “From the raked-out yard to the finished product with curbing and plants. It’s a complete transformation.”
The impact on Sarah and her family was immediate and profound. The builder observed a noticeable change in Sarah’s demeanor as the project progressed.
“He’s noticed that she’s been a little more happier, lively, like she’s getting back to herself a little bit as this project has matured,” says Parker. “When she comes home, it’s not a messed-up yard and this dreary little place. She mentioned it several times: ‘It’s so beautiful and it’s so perfect.'”
For the BHI team, the project was a poignant reminder of the power of community and the importance of their service-oriented values. Parker reflects on the experience: “Seeing how their eyes lit up, how grateful they were—it’s the gratification of knowing what this family is receiving and how much it means to them.”
A Legacy of Service
The story of Sarah Barton and the service done in her name by so many is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength found in community bonds. It exemplifies how corporate values, when put into action, can have a profound impact on individual lives.
As BHI continues to embody its Core Value of service, the company remains committed to finding ways to give back. “We’re going to go back over there at the end of this week,” Parker mentions, highlighting their ongoing commitment. “It’s supposed to get cold, so we want to make sure nothing freezes up.”
In the face of unimaginable tragedy, Sarah Barton found not just a rebuilt home, but a community that rallied around her, offering support, compassion, and hope for the future. Through the dedication of companies like BHI and the generosity of local businesses and volunteers, a new chapter begins—one where a family can heal, surrounded by the warmth of a community that truly cares.community and industry at large. His influence will continue to resonate, guiding BHI as it charts its course through the future.