Habitat for Humanity -- York Build 2009

When I got Liz Reisz's email this week, since I had a free Saturday, I offered to take lunch over to the volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity "build"--St. George's is a "Covenant Church" for Habitat, so we try to do our part.

I'm glad I answered her email. What a great adventure! After picking up the food, contributed by Ellie Butler and Catherine Fatina, I ventured off to find the site. I am directionally challenged anyway, but misnamed and unmarked streets certainly didn't help! After getting completely lost, hampered by a dead cell phone, I headed to Anthony's where they kindly let me use a phone to call Liz. Luckily, she was home and was able to steer me and my cargo of perishable food in the right direction. Whew! Prayers are answered!

I arrived about 3/4 of an hour later than I had planned, but that was OK. They were all happy to see me--I was greeted by Jon Dulude --he introduced himself as "Loud Jon"--Jon oversees volunteers at the site and is also in charge of site safety. He lives in York during the summer months and winters in Georgia--he's worked at Habitat sites in both places--he's an amazing man--He's active in both of our town fire departments...he is also a Hospice volunteer and helps in several other local organizations--about 12 of them in all! He's in the green shirt seen here.

The "build" in York Beach is coming along, despite site challenges and wet weather. Up until now, professional contractors have been on site, but the house is getting to the place where volunteers without professional building experience can be used. Today, Kathy and Marianne were surveying lumber that will be used today in the decking--they are checking to see where the lumber "crowns." See them at work on the right. Kathy, who has worked on clean up and rebuilding in New Orleans with a group from First Parish, lives in Kittery and is able to work at the site most Fridays and Saturdays, thanks to an employer who values community service. Marianne, a parishioner at St. Christophers, lives in town and is active in our Food Pantry. I met others on the job: It was Art's first day as a volunteer, so he described himself as a "go-fer"--go fer this, go fer that. I also met Steve, who is on the local Habitat board. He was measuring boards....

Later in the day, I returned to check out the progress made in the afternoon--to my surprise, there was David Mann, the head contractor, standing on the now-completed deck, looking very pleased. To quote him directly: "It was a great day!"

Finally, while I was looking for good camera shots, I ran into the future occupants of the house, a local mother and her son--Janalee Moquin and her son, Orion. They are contributing 400 hours of their own time as part of their agreement with Habitat. A recent York Weekly article will tell you more about this family. I was able to snap a shot of the two of them together this afternoon--Orion's on the newly finished deck, with his mom standing near their future basement door.

As I reflect on the day, I remember the passion of those working on the project. You could feel the joy and see the smiles on all the faces of the workers--my own face included. The Spirit was certainly at work today in York Beach!

This Habitat project provides a wonderful local opportunity for members of St. George's to make a real difference in the life of a local family--with both their hands and their hearts. I look forward to seeing many of us out at the site over the coming weeks.

To get involved in the project, head to the York Habitat for Humanity website. You'll find sign up forms and everything you need to join the team.

And--When you see her, thank Liz Reisz for all the work she does on our behalf as our Habitat liaison.

Directions to the site:
From Old Post Road, turn onto Bluestone Estates (coming from Rte 1, it's the first left, coming from the village, it's the lst right before Rte. 1) Take a left onto Greystone. This turns into Trafton. You will turn right onto Hemlock about 1/4 mi or so. Hemlock is a dirt road, and not marked on the right side. There is a street sign where the road goes to the left. It's past a large group of mailboxes. The Habitat house is quite a way down Hemlock, on the right. (there is another house under construction before you get to the Habitat site.

If you are coming from the Village, here are easier directions:
Take Long Sands up from York Village, Turn right on Ridge Road. After about 1/2 mile or so, take a left on Beacon St Extension. Take a left on Spruce St and almost an immediate right on Hemlock. The site is about 500 ft up the road on the left. Go slowly on all these little back streets. There are major potholes!


More pictures to come! You might even find me wielding a paint brush....