After Friday's torrential downpour, we slogged through the mud this morning with 40-50 Habitat volunteers, moving trusses to top off a new house frame. I have to say, Austin Habitat knows how to jump start a crew at 8am on a Saturday morning! They had a breakfast spread of egg tacos, potatoes, coffee... and one homeowner even made a pineapple upside down cake! After the Project Manager divvied up the day's tasks and pointed out the lead volunteers, we were off to a running start.
Three Habitat homeowners worked along groups of volunteers from Exit Reality and the Dell Children's Medical Centre on the 4-5 unfinished homes on our street. There was another big group on the next street over and we found out that Habitat had built 24 homes in this neighborhood in the past year.
We worked a tiring, but fun 7-hour day with first-time volunteer Chris (a new Austin-ite and recent world traveler), tar papering the frame and putting in windows. He shared some stories about his trip to Asia, South America, Australia and gave us some tips for New Zealand. Oh, to be 23 again, without a care in the world except growing student loan debt...
At the end of the day (when the sun was finally starting to shine!), we joined the AmeriCorps crew and Project Manager (Jesse Porter) for a dedication the home we'd hung blinds in on Wednesday. A young woman and her 4-year-old boy became the proud new owners of a brand new 2 bedroom/1 bath ranch. There's no telling the hardships they've faced up to this point. But her family, new neighbors, a couple dozen volunteers and the President of Austin Habitat were on hand to welcome her into a hopeful and bright future. Today was a good day! :)
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