On May 6, 2006, the Southbury Interfaith Social Concerns Committee sponsored the annual AmeriCares HomeFront Project. AmeriCares is an international relief organization that used local volunteers to resore an area home to a safe, warm and dry condition. Volunteers from the area, as well as two Mormon Elders from Calgary, Alberta, and Provo Utah, spent the day working on two projects, one (Shown here) in Southbury, the other in Seymour. Working from early morn until dusk, the volunteers were able to bring a little help, and a lot of love to the homeowners. Click here for more information on the AmeriCares HomeFront projects.
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AmeriCares HomeFront
Saturday, May 6, 2006. All AmeriCares projects take place on the first Saturday in May. Just one day. Not a big committment of time, but a lot of work go into the planning and execution of this day. What follows is just the tip of the iceburg, showing some highlights of the activity that day. Many thanks to all those who volunteered their time and talent to help a neighbor.
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Where would we be without directions? What to do? Where to start? Decisions, decisions. But, here is everything you need to know about the what, where and how of the day. Just pick a job that you are comfortable doing, and it's yours.
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But of course, nothing is ever really that simple. Paperwork, as always. We do have to know who's here, do you have your parents permission, and all that. Just takes a minute. We had over 100 T-Shirts to hand out to the volunteers, and at the end of the day, they were all gone, and we could have used a few more. What a turn out!
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And who were the immediate heros for the volunteers. The local Starbucks group sent a large group of volunteers, and a large supply of their delicious coffee to start everyone's day.
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Didn't your mother tell you that? Proof is the large quantities of food required for the group. Bagels, doughnuts, juice, and of course, Starbucks coffee.
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But we must feed our spiritual side as well. Rev. Meg Watson from the United Church of Christ in Southbury came to do just that. With a prayerful reflection, we were sent on our way to put our faith into action.
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And into action everyone went. Lots of work to be done on the windows. Some of the larger ones needed to be completely removed. All needed scraping and caulking.
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Thanks to the neighbor down the road, the parking problem was solved. We would never have been able to fit all these cars into the driveway, or on adjacent roads without some real difficulties for everyone. Thanks for the use of the lot.
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I know this looks like one of those Hollywood epics, with the foot soldiers attacking the impregnable castle. But it really isn't. Just a bunch of volunteers scaling the heights to get to the windows, and get some of the front work started.
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And inside, work went on fixing up those windows. The large front window has been removed, and the frame is being prepared for the new window. Take out the molding, scrape the wood, stain the new molding, put the new window in,...
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One of the rules of good management is never to look down on your workers. But sometimes it just can't be helped. That big open window was just too tempting not to use. So, when you look out over the front yard, you see a lot of people happily spending their day off helping a neighbor most don't even know. Except to know that they need some assistance.
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Not to be outdone, the back yard group is also hard at it, getting things fixed up.
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But that breakfast, good as it was, can only go so far. And so, arriving just in the nick of time, the Southbury Knights of Columbus came with their world famous hot dogs, salads, munchies, and lots of energy. All the AmeriCares projects that the Interfaith Committee has sponsored have had lunch provided by the Knights. A great group of guys.
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Form a line, please. Plenty for everyone. How many dogs, please? Mustard over there. Chips?
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And not all of the work is on the house. Quite a bit goes into the landscaping. These ladies are getting ready to add a beautifying touch to the project.
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You can't go wrong with pansies.
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These doors never seem to fit quite the way they should. Just a little more off this side, and we'll be all set.
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The kitchen got a complete makeover. Just like on TV. Here the counter top is being cut to fit. Also, new sink, and lots more all throughout the house.
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A special tip o' the hat to Hank Rapp of St. James Lutheran Church who provided several of the photos used here. And how can we ever thank all those wonderful people who heard the cry of a neighbor in need, and responded with all their heart. All the young folk who came, donations of food and drink. Thank you all so much. We hope to see you all again next year.
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