Habitat for Humanity

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=3 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000"> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=477 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>HABITAT FOR HUMANITY</B></div> <bR> <div> I was one of 12 from Habitat’s Hilton Head/Bluffton Regional office who spent five days helping in the construction of “Transition Houses” in the massive post-Hurricane Katrina effort. It was one of the most eye-opening, humbling and emotional challenges of my life. Five months after Katrina, I thought I would be witnessing the urgent and hopeful restoration of a devastated town. It was comforting to stay in two houses recently built by Habitat volunteers for future volunteers, and to see both the much maligned FEMA and Red Cross getting trailers and meals to the needy. But progress was slower than imaginable; the destruction – simply overwhelming, unreal. Houses overturned in the road, clothes caught on trees, stuffed childrens’ toys here and there in the mud, trees split in half.</div> <div> Our team moved two houses along to where they could be painted, and a site was measured for another new house. We talked with many who still in shock, expressed their amazement that we would travel 10 hours to pitch in. In turn, we were amazed at what they were doing for themselves – while insurance claims got processed, their kids were housed elsewhere close to a school they could attend, and people representing many different organizations tried to plan for a fruitful future. To a person, each of our team members felt we were able to contribute productively.</div> <div> The Habitat Affiliate working in Pearlington has given our Affiliate the week of May 7th through 12 to have a group of 12. If you’ve been hankering to find a way to pitch in for only five days, I can promise you a time well worth your efforts. For those of you not attending a wedding, or graduation, or visiting grandchildren at this time, seriously, please consider this opportunity. Sharing expenses will keep each individual’s investments between $50-100. The first group would leave this area at 7:30A.M.; the second group will leave at noon. You do not need to be “a skilled carpenter”; just willing to learn a new skill or two if asked to do so!</div> <div> We’ll have an organizational meeting on Tuesday, April 18th at the Regional Habitat Office in Bluffton at 12:30P.M. So, if you are at all interested, please contact me by E-mail or phone so that I may answer any questions you might have, and, hopefully sign you up. (843) 757-9799 and/or <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><U>HerriottA@AOL.COM</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> In Partnership,</div> <div> Andy Herriott</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>