| Operation Home Delivery rolls on in Katrina's Wake |
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“More than a year after the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, we are still building, and still need volunteers to help make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality for residents of Mobile County,” said Brenda Carson-Lawless, executive director for Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County. That’s where Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) stands ready to step in and continue giving Mobile County support through its Operation Home Delivery efforts. Plans for 2007 include the completion of four houses. TCHFH intends to provide all the volunteers, leadership and four entire houses – not just the panels – for a blitz build scheduled for mid-January through mid-February 2007. Mobile County will provide the specifications and plans for the houses, foundations and sewer lines, and will designate where they will be built." Because of the acute need in this area, Mobile County was having some difficulty with sponsor follow-through for building the homes we had shipped to this area in the past year,” said Jim Nelson, construction manager for TCHFH. “This has caused unforeseen delays in completing the homes. By providing all of the materials, staff and leadership, we feel that this is much better approach for helping Mobile County.” Two houses are scheduled for assembly during the last two-weeks of January, and the remaining two houses will be built the first two weeks of February. Along with all of the materials for completing these homes, 50 volunteers, TCHFH staff and leaders will accompany these blitz builds. Volunteers are being asked for a minimum one-week commitment to participate. Camp Christian will house the volunteers, and their meals will be provided either at the camp or through box lunches at the building sites. Funding for these builds will come from money contributed by 245 donors over the past year to the Hurricane Katrina fund. TCHFH will be taking applications from volunteers interested in participating in the blitz build (Preference will be given to skilled volunteers and/or volunteers with previous Habitat build experience). For more information about volunteering or apply, visit www.tchabitat.org or call 612-676-9222. Contributed by Kay Malchow |
