Sponsored by the Southbury Interfaith Social Concerns Commitee
For the last six years, the Southbury Interfaith Social Concerns Committee has sponsored a project for AmeriCares HomeFront. The purpose of these projects is to make a local home warm, safe and dry. All the work is done in one day, so having many people available makes it easier to accomplish great things. This year, May 1 was the day set assiude for the work day. A day that dawned bright and clear, and stayed that way most of the day. And not too hot. All in all, a great day. A great day for helping a neighbor. What follows is a very brief description of the work day. Nothing can completely describe all the activity that went into completing this work, but we offer our thanks to all those who labored so long and hard to make it a reality.
As usual, before the actual work begins, we have to get the many volunteers together and go over the project. As in past years, this meeting was held at St. James Lutheran Church, and was headed by our co-captain Lauren. Her husband Mike was the other co-captain. Here we found out about this year's project, where it was, what was needed, and when to arrive.
Paying attention, these two gentlemen are already getting a good idea of how they are going to be spending the day at the work site.
And of course, you can't have a meeting like this without some good food at the end. Snacks provided by the Interfaith Social Concerns Committee. Happy smiles provided by some of our willing and eager volunteers.
The directions were good, but just in case Lauren and Mike were out in the early morning putting up directional signs so no one would get lost.
It does help to know who is here working, so there is a registration process. Everyone, including those on the organizing committee get to add their name to the growing list of volunteers, get a t-shirt and a name tag.
And just in case there should be any question about who was doing all this work, there was the official AmeriCares HomeFront sign to clarify things.
More meetings. Before we can start, we need a few more last minute instructions about the project, how things should run, and who to see if there is a problem. But with Lauren and Mike in the lead, the few problems are quickly and easily resolved.
Fr. Donnelly from Sacred Heart was there to start the day on the right note. Reminding all that we are called by God to help our neighbor, whoever, and wherever they may be.
And so begins the work day. Plenty for everyone to do, so there's no reason not to be busy. Yard work, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting....let's go.
One of the ourside projects involved this fallen retaining wall. It may look pretty hopeless here at the start, but remember this photo for later. First the wall has to come apart...
...and all the stones stacked in a neat pile close at hand for when they are needed later on...
...and then the really hard work of taking the bank down and back up can start in earnest. This is really hard, physical labor. Make no mistake. A lot of work went into this wall.
And the finished product. Keep in mind that what took only a few seconds to read about took the better part of the day to actually finish.
And before the outside painting can start, all the old paint has to come off to give a good surface to paint on. These are a few of the volunteers who were scraping away all around the house.
Many hands make light work, or so I've always heard. Here's proof of that old saying, as several of our younger members join together to fix up the plantings around the back of the house.
Sometimes the inside work came outside, not to enjoy the day (Which, by the way, was beautiful), but to do some sawing, planing, or just plain moving around that couldn't be done inside. Here a minor adjustment is made to the bi-fold door being used for increased privacy in one of the bedrooms.
And in the bath, well, let's just say that sometimes you don't know what you are getting into until its too late to change your mind. What started as a simple upgrade of the bath turned into a full scale restoration of the bath and replacing the floor. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems it should be.
You say the front door needs work. No problem. For every job, there is a willing and knowledgeable pair of hands to take on the task to completion.
And once the old paint is off, well, its time to put on the new. A nice light green looks really good on this house. And so the scrapers become the painters, and the job continues.
There are some inside jobs, and some outside jobs. But this one seems to be the best of both worlds. How do you suppose he bent his arm enough to work that hammer???
In the back of the house was another of those jobs that ended up being a lot more work that was at first thought. This was supposed to be a pretty simple patch of a hole in the siding. It ended up being a replacement of the side of the house near and under the deck. Lucky we have people willing to do these things right.
Sorry, I don't do windows. But this family does. Its the small details that make these projects such a success. So thanks for all the hard physical labor, and thanks for all the thoughtfullness that goes into making a house a home.
And speaking about hard physical labor, just the thought of putting in a new kitchen counter and sink is enough to exhaust me. But when you're a pro, I guess it comes easier. Maybe not.
Well, its pretty close to noon, so it must be time for the Knights of Columbus to arrive and start lunch. And here's Joe starting to prepare some of the World Famous Hot Dogs that the local Knights do so well. Let's see, about 2 dogs per person, and about 80 people here....hummmm...that's ....how many dogs??
The Knights are nothing if not organized. Standard buffet, served with a smile. Pick up the plate here, the veggy plate there, the rolls next, then the dogs. Sauerkraut, mustard, relish as needed. Drinks for every taste. And then they're gone. Thanks to the Knights for being faithful providers every year we have done this project.
A little time to relax, and let lunch settle. A chance to chat with old friends, and make new ones. A good time to just relax on the lawn, and soak up the sun.
Of course, we do have to get back at it some time. Look at the size of that ladder. I get dizzy just looking at the picture. But, with a high house, someone has to get up there for scraping and painting.
This seems more like my size. Not too far off the ground, but still needs doing. Good job, Jon.
And on the other side, it looks like everyone is here painting or getting ready to paint. Look at all those volunteers.
Let's see now, Mike. The deck is done, but the bath still needs to be finished. And how's the retaining wall? Can someone check and let me know. Lauren and Mike kept everyone informed on our progress with a project sheet by the registration table. If you need to know how things are going, just check the sheet. It will also let you know where you are needed if you find yourself with a little spare time on your hands.
We were fortunate to have the Inspector General stop by from St. James Lutheran Church. After all, someone has to crack the whip every once in a while to keep things moving. Thanks Erwin.
The new kitchem looks pretty good to me, and also to the homeowner. A lot of work from many people went into making this a reality.
The (Almost) finished product. As the day drew to a close, the many volunteers were able to look back on a most satisfying experience, helping a neighbor. And isn't that what we are all called to do?
Inside the front door of the house was a sampler, probably similar to one you may have seen elsewhere. I thought it expressed pretty well all the work that went into this project. It reads:I shall pass this way but once.
Therefore, any good that I can do...
Or any kindness that I can show...
Let me do it now
For I shall not pass this way again.
And the people who deserve a tremendous amount of credit for making this project a success are our co-captains, Lauren and Mike. The planning started months ago, untold hours of work, time and effort from these two, and all without a complaint. Thanks folks. God Bless You.
One last credit. Many of the pictures that went into this presentation were taken by Hank from St. James Church. Hank and his lovely wife Gloria are regulars at all our functions, and contribute many hours of work to make Southbury a better place. And when they weren't taking pictures, they were working somewhere on the project. Like finishing the bath, for example.
If you would like additional information on either AmeriCares or AmeriCares HomeFront, click here.