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Seton Habitat Build Update #1: October 22 and 29, 2016
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November 4, 2016Seton Habitat Build Update # 1: October 22 and 29, 2016
The Seton’s second Habitat for Humanity build officially began Saturday, October 22. In addition to about 25 Seton volunteers, parishioners from St. Marks also joined in this first build day. This build is a duplex (two houses side-by-side); therefore, there are multiple organizations working on the build, each with their own assigned build day(s). (See picture 1 in photo Album) The day began with remarks by Sid Buniff , Development Director for Habitat of South Collin County, who explained the purpose of the program and introduced the recipients of the two homes – Bobbie and Carmen. (See picture 2) Jeri Phillips said an opening prayer and then there was the morning safety briefing. The day started out a bit chilly and we took a group picture before the work started, while everyone was still fresh. (See picture 3) (NOTE – Bobbie and Carmen are front and center in the picture. Bobbie is in the green jacket and Carmen is to her left.)
After the safety briefing by the Habitat Construction Manager, volunteers were assigned to two teams and each team worked on one side of the duplex. (See picture 4) Volunteers were led by the Crew Chiefs provided by Habitat. (The Crew Chiefs are experienced in construction and made sure the rest of us were doing the right things at the right times, safely). Most of the work on the first day centered on the building and raising the interior and exterior walls. The volunteers in the build were able to sign some of the framing lumber as a time capsule for the families. (See picture 5)
Much progress was made during the day and most importantly, no one got hurt. Here are some pictures during the day. (See pictures 6 thru 14) By the end of the day, the dividing wall between the two homes was up and sheet rocked as well as some of the other interior and exterior walls.
On October 29 (the second Seton build day), the first order of business was to present Seton’s check for the build to Habitat. Tracy Holley from Seton presented the check to James Donaldson, Construction Director for Habitat. (insert picture check delivery). Work continued on building and raising the interior and exterior walls. In addition, sheathing was put on the exterior walls. (insert picture pic3) As mentioned in an earlier article, homeowners are required to put sweat equity into their homes. Here we have one of the homeowners, Carmen in her white hardhat, doing her part. (insert picture pic5) By the end of the day, all the interior and exterior walls were up, as well as almost all of the sheathing. Here are some additional pictures during the second build day (insert pictures pic1, pic2, pic7)
While there will be about 9 more days of work for Seton, Days # 1 and 2 showed tremendous progress by people of goodwill working together to carry out God’s plan here on Earth!
In addition to the many Seton and St. Mark’s volunteers who helped on Build Day #1, the Seton Habitat Team wants to thank:- Starbucks on Spring Creek, just west of Coit provided the morning coffee on both dates.
- Angela's at the Crosswalk (1010 East 15th St., in Downtown Plano) provided the lunch the first day and hosted a post-build Happy Hour with complimentary snacks and very affordable refreshments for the volunteers so we could go home refreshed and hydrated! (angelascrosswalk.com)
- Members of the Seton Team arranged for the October 29th lunch with sandwich trays from Costco, with all the fixin’s.
Go by and look at the project at 1133 G Avenue in East Plano (down the street from the Douglass Community Center). It will surely inspire you to join us! For more information, to volunteer for the Habitat Team, or to be a build volunteer go to the Habitat for Humanity section of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton website ( www.setonparish.org/habitat).
