Americorp Build-a-thon 2007! (and Lindsey was there too)

Lindsey, construction worker extraordinaire?

This past week, Resource Development VISTA Lindsey Walker joined other Americorp volunteers from all over the country in a massive effort to build homes in the gulf port region. The 1st Annual Americorp Build-a-thon is the largest massive blitz build that Habitat participates in. Over 500 volunteers pulled together and built 20 homes throughout the week, living and enjoying each other's fellowship in residences established for gulf coast volunteers.

"Habitat for Humanity benefits heavily from the hard work, talents, and leadership of Americorps members all across the United states," said Jonathon Reckford, CEO for Habitat International. "We are delighted to gather so many members in a single place not only to build decent homes, but to celebrate the incredible accomplishments we've been able to make together in communities throughout the country."

Athens Habitat is proud of Lindsey for her participation in this event and we hope that more volunteers will take heed of the troubles in the gulf coast, where so much needs to be done.

Group pics

The Tillis family gets a new home.

See if you can spot Lindsey (hint, she has an arrow pointed downward over her head)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity would like to wish everyone a fun and safe holiday weekend. Let's take this opportunity to honor all of those in the armed forces, many of whom have given their lives to preserve what we hold dear. Happy Memorial Day.

Q' for a Cause

In late April, the Greek community participated in a fundraiser benefiting Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. The 2nd Annual "Q' for a Cause" was hosted by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and raised over $3000. Members of the fraternity hunted game in south Georgia, slow-cooked the meat overnight, and invited everyone in the neighborhood to come over and enjoy good food, music, and fellowship. We at Athens Area Habitat would like to express our appreciation for the hard work and generosity of young men. The involvement of organizations such as theirs allows non-profits in the Athens community such as ours to thrive, an for that we are truly grateful.

Alumni Association helps out with Habitat

Member of the UGA alumni Association came out and helped with Habitat this past Saturday, finishing up the sides and the roof of the house, setting it up so that the Habitat crew can work on the side porch this week. The alumni also provided all of the volunteers with a generous lunch courtesy of Zaxby's. Overall, the build day was, according to the construction manager Beau Harvey, one of the "most productive weekends since (he) started working here." Habitat would like to thank the Alumni Association and all of it's volunteers who helped make this weekend such a success.

Construction manager position available at Habitat!

click image to enlarge

Hey guys, Habitat is looking for an additional Construction Manager to help shoulder all of the activity we have coming up. So if you're interested or know someone who might be interested, please contact Spencer Frye, Executive Director, at (706)208-1001 or by e-mail at spencer@athenshabitat.com. And don't worry, this is an additional Construction Manager. Beau's not going anywhere :)

Navy School makes triumphant return to Habitat

One of Habitat's most reliable volunteer groups helped out Habitat this past Saturday with the Building on a Dream House. The Navy School came out in full force and helped build the walls and set up the trusses for the roof, a crucial stage in the construction process. Habitat would like to thank these volunteers for getting involved with the community and helping out.

Fire Department stages drills with Habitat

Members of the Athens Clarke County fire department look on as a trainee learns the appropriate way to break out a window. This scene is one of many from an exercise conducted recently on property owned by Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. Habitat was contacted by the fire department, who were looking for a spot to practice drills.

Habitat recently recently acquired the property with a grant from Athens Clarke County Human and Economic Development and the house is scheduled for demolition soon. Three new Habitat homes will be built on the property and two next to it. Habitat is very excited about these projects and the impact they will have on the neighborhood.

Athens Area Habitat salutes these brave men in their endeavor to make our community a safer place to live.

Pics

Spence knows who to call.

No pressure.

To rain or not to rain

Members of Housing for Housing and UGA Habitat joined other volunteers (not to mention future homeowners Susie Thomas and Wanda Maddox) this past weekend in helping Habitat construct the interior walls on the Building on a Dream house. Volunteers spend the early part of the overcast morning sweeping water off the foundation before getting to work measuring and erecting the internal support structures, setting the stage to set up the trusses next weekend. In what might have been the last temperate build day for the rest of the summer, the volunteers took advantage of the bearable atmosphere and put in a solid Saturday's worth of work, for which Habitat is very thankful.

Russell Hall lends a hand

Residents of 10East and members of UGA Habitat came out last Saturday to help Habitat finish up the walls for the BOTD House. Volunteers worked under the hot Georgia sun to get everything ready for when we put up the trusses this weekend. Under the leadership of Micah Rogers, their R.A., the men of Russell Hall worked diligently and efficiently. Habitat would like to thank these students for taking time out of studying for finals to help an Athens resident in need. Habitat is blessed to have such volunteers.