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The Full Week - in 9 minutes
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Dedication Ceremony
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| More to come |
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Please scroll down to see each day's video and KFTY coverage.
Please check back in a week or two for more videos and photos.
| Daily Progress |
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Monday, June 5 – After months of preparation, work began before the scheduled 7 am starting time, everyone anxious and excited to begin. By 7:45 the first floor walls were up and the framing crew started placing beams for the 2nd floor. Noon saw the second floor walls erected, the crane lifting roof trusses to waiting crews. Materials arrived at a steady pace throughout the day, the small court temporary home to several huge trucks, equipment and the commensurate congestion. Channel 50 News and a Press Democrat reporter and photographer interviewed participants and recorded key events. Plumbing and electrical crews swiftly roughed in the utilities, windows and gutters were installed and the roof was sheathed with plywood. The pace is quick but the build site is remarkably quiet, each worker moving methodically from one step to the next in a well choreographed play of construction efficiency. It is a wonder to behold and a tribute to the generosity and kindness of all those involved. By the end of the day the house was under roof.
Tuesday, June 6 – With the outside envelope of the house in place, work on the interior began at a frantic pace. The drywall crew entered and in what seemed just a few minutes had the drywall cut and hung. Following on their heels came the taping crew who applied “hot” mud and finished by noon. Outside, the roofing crew put finishing touches on the shingled roof while the siding crew nailed exterior trim in place. The day saw a constant stream of workers buzzing around in an orchestrated rhythm. Youthful volunteers from the senior center provided lunch for the crew and volunteers. Interior walls were textured at the end of the day and left to dry overnight. Another satisfying day of hard work, camaraderie, enthusiasm and community spirit.
Wednesday, June 7 – Work continues at a steady pace, the house now starting to take on the look of a finished home. After the Herculean work accomplished during the first forty eight hours, today sees the diligent work crews paint the exterior and interior, lay sub-flooring, install cabinets, install trim and baseboards, and hang interior and closet doors. Outside work preparing the grounds for the landscaping and irrigation gets completed. Crews are working late completing the laminate floors in the kitchen and bathrooms. The house shines as concrete is pressure washed, floors are swept, and the entire job site is spruced up in preparation for the dedication Saturday. It is inspiring to behold this beautiful home, a product of dedicated men and women who have donated their time, hard work, supplies and material, food, land, money, and faith.
Thursday, June 8 – Excitement is building as the hardworking crews install the finishing touches to this magnificent home. Outside, workers finish landscaping, and a crew erects a wood fence around the back yard. The house is continually inspected to ensure everything meets the exacting standards of the on-site team leaders from Habitat for Humanity (Brent), Christopherson Homes (John and Greg) and their Trade Partners. Inside, a myriad of tasks are completed including setting countertops, finishing trim, installation of an energy efficient heating system and tankless water heater, installation of appliances, and laying tile in the entryway. John and Brent seemed to enjoy teaching our soon to be owner Ralph, the fine art of policing up a job site. We find ourselves in awe as we stand in the street gazing at the house, marveling that so much quality work was accomplished in such a short time. We are fortunate to live in a community that has such extraordinarily talented and charitable people.
Friday, June 9 – With the exception of a few touch-ups to the paint and little projects, the house was essentially finished Thursday at 4 pm, in eighty-one hours, and more than a day ahead of schedule. Cleaning crews cleaned the carpet and spruced up the house so it reflects the pride and fine workmanship this structure embodies. The afternoon lull was followed by a celebration barbeque hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County and Christopherson Homes for all the generous donors, dedicated workers and volunteers who made this home possible. It is difficult to convey how much their donated work and materials are appreciated. Final preparations are underway for the dedication ceremony Saturday morning at 10 am. We look forward to thanking all those who contributed in this noble venture as we ceremonially hand the keys to the home to its new owners, the Clayton-Thurston family.
Saturday, June 10 – The morning came with a light fog, slowly giving way to the soft warmth of a delightful Sonoma County morning – a special day in so many ways. Mera Court family members serve as ambassadors for the dedication, welcoming now familiar volunteers, Habitat Board members and staff, Christopherson employees, supporters, new neighborhood friends and the fair mayor of Santa Rosa herself. The ever present Diane and Amy shepherd guests and participants into just the right place, with a view of the attractive front porch between the newly planted trees. The benediction, the speeches, recognition of participating companies, presentation of the bible, the hugs, tears, and heartfelt words rejoicing in the power of giving – through labor, faith, support, donations and belief that we can join together to make a difference one home, one family, one community at a time.
Thank you for following the building of this home and for supporting Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County, Christopherson Homes, and all the fantastic companies listed below. Join us as we strive towards providing affordable housing for EVERY Sonoma County resident. Share this message with people you know, get involved, make a difference every day, and who knows – we just might do it!
Daily narrative by Michael J. Foster - Volunteer
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| Daily Videos |
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Dedication Ceremony
Saturday, June 10th |
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| Build Sponsors |
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| Christopherson Homes |
| White Cap, Inc. | | Kelly-Moore Paint Company |
| Slakey Brothers | | Canyon Rock |
| Ron Hogenstand, Inc. | | Piedmont Lumber Truss Division |
| Cascio Enterprises Trucking | | Bergy Door |
| The Lighting Design Center | | Shamrock Materials |
| Shook & Waller | | Sonoma County Plumbing, Inc. |
| Creatve Cabinets | | Bertram/Blondina Handrail & Stair, Inc. |
| Ponzo Enterprises | | Nessco Construction |
| Alcal Roofing & Insulation | | North Coast HVAC |
| Dennett Tile Company | | Orca Materials |
| Insight Glass | | Baggenstos & Associates, Inc. |
| Action Rents | | Kenwood Fence Company, Inc. |
| PG&E | | M&M Services |
| CALPLY Materials | | R & K Construction |
| Classic Mill Cabinets | | Garage Door Fireplace |
| Cal Steam | | City of Santa Rosa Building Dept. |
| Stan Ireland Tile | | Carpet Exchange |
| Northbay Concrete, Inc. | | Aladdin's Electric of the North Bay |
| Cook Cabinets | | Custom Design Countertops, Inc. |
| Labor Ready | | Duracite |
| Mike Nunley Engineering | | SolData |
| Western Shower Door, Inc. | | Presision Crane |
| Kenwood Fence | | Campbells Carpet |
| LeDuc & Dexter | | Blinds Direct |
| R.D. Huges Drywall | | Independent Electrical Supply |
| Latitude PromoCo Mary's Pizza |
| Holiday Retirement Corp / Vineyard Commons |
| Ray's Food Center / Steve O's Deli |
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Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz 2006 is a nationwide effort that joins Habitat for Humanity affiliates and 1,000 professional homebuilders to provide houses for more than 1,000 people nationwide. By working with Habitat, professional builders are making affordable housing a reality.
During the week of June 5, 2006, more than 400 Habitat homes will be constructed from start to finish in more than 130 communities throughout the United States.
More on national effort... |
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Web Habitat, Inc.
SpamLion, Inc.
