Some 80 volunteers lent a hand at this weekend’s Habitat for Humanity building blitz in Andalusia.

Dale Pancake, executive director of the local Habitat chapter, called it a “great start” to the county’s fourth HFH project.

“We had over 80 folks come help Friday including the LBW baseball team,” Pancake said. “We got the walls of the house up and secured, the roof trusses and part of the decking on.  They also were able to put on the house wrap and exterior insulation board on the entire outside of the house.

“Another group then installed most of the windows,” he said. “Saturday we had another good turnout of volunteers who finished the roof decking and felt as well and put in the rest of the windows and finally the front and side doors.

“When we left Saturday afternoon we were able to lock the doors on a ‘dried in’ house – not bad for two days work,” he said.

Pancake sent a special “thank you” to all of the volunteers – especially those from LBW Community College, Southeast Alabama Gas District and Crossover Ministry.

“The people from CCB Community Bank provided a breakfast and a great variety of snacks for the volunteers,” he said. “Friday David’s Catfish provided a terrific lunch, and on Saturday, Tommy Gerlach and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church fed us a red beans and rice that would make Cajuns jealous.”

“Lastly, I have to give a big thank you to Wyatt Sasser, our contractor, and to Jerry Howard, our construction committee chair,” he said. “Wyatt and his professionals did a great job of keeping the work moving forward correctly and of guiding 80 willing, but less experienced, volunteers through it all.”

Pancake said three sets of partner families represented at the build, including homeowner Tammy Taylor and her family.

“We also had Steven and Laura Harrell, who are about to close on our house in Florala,” said Pancake. He also disclosed the Florala HFH home of Sherrie Stewart had relocated and decided not to take possession of the home. “Finally, we had Lacrecia and Shane Laney, future partners for our next house. Everyone worked well and was a great help.”

Pancake said next weekend – Feb. 15 and 16 – volunteers will be back at it, working on vinyl siding, installing roofing shingles and taking on interior tasks.