Tuesday, October 31, 2006

CREW makes a difference on Make A Difference Day!

CREW stands up and Makes A Difference on Make A Difference Day! Although the volunteers we had were prepared to repair roofs today, God sent rain and changed our plans.
3 of the 9 volunteers from East Lake United Methodist Church in Palm Harbour worked diligently in repairing a handicapped railing on a handicap ramp in Moorehaven, Florida. This ramp will make life better for an elderly disabled couple. East Lake drove from Palm Harbor over 3 hours one-way to do this. This is East Lake's 5th trip to our town to help with Hurricane Wilma Repairs.
Meanwhile the other 6 volunteers from East Lake United Methodist and 3 from Grace United Methodist in Cape Coral Florida worked replacing drywall, repairing electrical outlets, and repairing steps for a remarkable woman in Lake Port. This woman has been living in disaray since Wilma tore her trailer apart, yet it did not change her committment to "taking care of God's critters". This foster Mom and caretaker of injured wildlife and strays shared with me that God has been good to her and she returns the favor by taking care of stray critters in need whether they have 2 or 4 legs they still need love. She is an increible woman that was a pleasure to help get back on her feet.
That afternoon while the volunteers worked to finish their projects, our case manager Amanda volunteered and ran a booth at the Lake Port Community Festival in order to help the community raise money for a much needed afterschool program.
Later that night two of the volunteers from Grace United Methodist stopped by to help our executive director share the need at a Gospel Sing Fundraiser for CREW in Clewiston.

At the same time staff members from CREW were running a booth at the Clewiston Kid's Fest and passing out flyers and materials to help get the word out about CREW, recruit new local volunteers, and promote safe fun for the community!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

CREW gets help from the United Church of Christ!

John taking it in!
Ken works with the volunteer!


God Bless Mr. John Paterno from United Church of Christ. He came to do some volunteer work while he was here visiting from North Carolina. John Paterno is retired and has dedicated his time to volunteering whereever the need is. He travels all over when his wife will let him to donate his many skills to help people in need. He lives in Cary, North Carolina with his wife and youngest daughter. He has worked extensively with Habitat and done 2 complete rebuilds. He has also volunteered many times in Mississippi. He was in Miami on October 9th through the 13th, visiting his daughter who is attending college there. He came to do some needed repairs to her apartment and while he was here wanted to volunteer some time to help in an area that was in need. He contacted Rev. Karen Thompson the Minister for United Church of Christ Disaster REsponse and Recovery Center. He spent 1 day here assessing the site on 10/13. He then returned last week to work for three really long days at Ken's home. He pulled up old, moldy carpet and replaced moldy plywood. He primed and painted one bedroom, the hallway and the living room. He installed trim molding that had been damaged from the water coming in before the roof was repaired by a grant from USDA. Mr. Paterno also had to moved all the furniture and personal belongings of Mr. Schemms before this work could be done. While he was there he primed Mr. Schemm's other two bedrooms and the kitchen to kill the minor mold on the walls.

East Lake United Methodist to the Rescue Again!

East Lake meets up with Tony, CREW's new Construction Coordinator!

East Lake takes a much needed break at Joey's Pizza


East Lake came back again on 10/21 and are coming again for Make a Difference Day on the 28th! On the 21st the dilenglty worked in Moorehaven and Clewiston, and actually got to leave early due to windows being the wrong size...oops! But they are patient and are coming back to try to install them again this saturday! What an incredibly dedicated group. God bless them for all they have done and continue to do for us.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Plantation United Methodist

Jeff, Harold and Ron working on shingles!
Jack delivers materials!
A hard working, very well organized team of volunteers drove from Planation, worked all day in the hot son on roofs in Harlem and Clewiston! 10/7 was their first mission trip to our little town, and they came back the very next weekend to finish what they started! God was with them as they blessed us with their dedication and hard work!David scraping off shingles!