Bargar is a longtime friend of Deputy Michael Seeley and his wife, Nicole. After hearing the news of Seeley’s diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia and his subsequent long-term stay at the Cleveland Clinic for treatment, Bargar asked the couple what they needed most.

Nicole Seeley told Bargar it was difficult to accept help, but what would be most beneficial would be if someone could help renovate their house. The couple purchased the property two years ago and had previously done renovations, but the project came to a halt after Seeley’s diagnosis. The Seeleys have been living with Michael’s parents’ as work on their house progressed.

“She said, ‘Our house is not ready for us. We’ve been doing all the work ourselves, and the day he got diagnosed, everything just came to a stop,'” Bargar said. “It’s just not ready for them for winter.”

Bargar said her post on Facebook asking for help on the house blew up in a very short time, and she cannot believe the number of people and businesses that have come to support the Seeleys.

Since sheriff’s deputy Michael Seeley was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a slew of friends and volunteers have worked to restore his West Ellicott residence. “It’s overwhelming, and I’m just very appreciative of it. I’ll never be able to thank these people for everything they’ve done,” Seeley said of the help. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

“Several corrections officers came out last weekend and donated their time,” she said. “Coppola’s Pizza donated lunch for everyone.”

The volunteers have come from all areas and expertise, Bargar said. Corrections officers, sheriff’s deputies, a Dunkirk fireman, the Mission of Helping Hands Director Kevin Weaver, representatives of Exterior Rescue and representatives of J. Edwards Insurance all had volunteers helping.

Wayne Seeley, Michael’s father, was also on site helping out. Unfortunately, at this time, Wayne and his wife, Marilyn, are also both battling skin cancer and breast cancer, respectively.

Meanwhile, Beichner Waste Services donated a dumpster; Pepsi of Jamestown donated cases of drinks; and Frantz and Russell donated two portable toilets. Friends, neighbors and relatives buzzed around the house like worker bees in the past few weeks, putting in windows and installing doors, cutting lumber and delivering coffee and donuts when needed.

“It’s not only a fellow officer, but they’re also friends,” Bargar said. “I went to school with both Mike and Nicole Seeley at Panama, and they’re good people. They would definitely do it for others.”

Panama is the most tight-knit community she knows, which showed during the house renovation due to the many volunteers from that area, she said.

Over the past few weeks, insulation has been put back up, and siding has been installed. A deck is also being built, Bargar said. The project is still in need of volunteers to help side the house and do drywall, as well as help picking up debris. Bargar said the more hands at work, the better and quicker it will be.

There is also some interest in having some landscaping done after the house is finished.

Bargar said the best way to get hold of her to volunteer is through her Facebook page.

“(The project will continue) until it’s done,” she said. “There’s a whole house full of guys doing the inside and there’s guys on the outside, and they all know what they’re doing.”

Michael Seeley said he and his wife expected to finish renovating the home this year, but his diagnosis put those plans on hold. He said seeing friends, family and even complete strangers help finish the work has been a humbling experience.

“That means the world to me,” he said. “It’s overwhelming, and I’m just very appreciative of it. I’ll never be able to thank these people for everything they’ve done.”

On Friday, Nicole Seeley stood in her front yard, watching the flurry of activity as work on the house commenced.

“It’s beyond surprising,” she said. “It’s completely and totally humbling and overwhelming. The support and love we’re getting from so many different people is not expected.”

Nicole Seeley said the house has been a labor of love for her husband and father-in-law, so it is also difficult to give up that aspect. Letting go has been difficult, and a feeling of helplessness intermingles with the feelings of support.

She said they have owned the house for two years, and they had only lived in it for four months altogether. Nicole Seeley said her husband would work on the house at night after work as a sheriff’s deputy or on his days off.

“In order for us to move in, we needed to get that much more done,” she said. “We had already done some things in advance even before we knew of his diagnosis. He was insistent that things continue to move forward, despite his absence.”

At this time, Nicole Seeley said she stays in the room with Michael in Cleveland for three days and then returns home to do laundry and catch up with friends and family, only to turn around the day after and go back.

“It’s a long drive, but we chose to go to Cleveland Clinic,” she said. “We strongly believe that he’s in the best place that he could be right now and getting the best care that he needs right now.”

The only other thing the couple needs right now is prayers, Nicole Seeley said. She said it is hard for them to admit they need anything because they are normally the ones helping others.

“Thank you is not enough,” she said of those who have been helping out. “Those two words are too small to use. We can’t ever express our thankfulness and gratitude for this.”

To keep updated with Michael Seeley’s battle with leukemia, search “Fight For Seeley” on Facebook. To volunteer to work on the house, message Sashene Bargar on Facebook.