Habitat build begins Friday

By Justin Schuver (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Habitat for Humanity of Covington County president Dale “Flip” Pancake said people who plan to volunteer at this weekend’s “building blitz” only need to show up “with closed-toed shoes, work clothes and ready to have some fun.”

“Bring a pair of work gloves if you’ve got them, but otherwise we’ll have plenty of gloves on site,” he said. “We’ll also provide nail aprons, and hammers and other tools. It’ll be good to bring a hat and some sunscreen, because there’s not a lot of shade. But other than that, just come ready to have some fun.”

HFHCC built a house in Opp earlier in year, but this will be the group’s first construction project in Andalusia. The build will take place Friday and Saturday, from about 8 a.m. until 4 p.m, on a lot along Bagley Street, near Northside Baptist Church. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house will be built for the Marshall family, which contains a mother and her daughter, and the daughter’s children — a 16-year-old boy and two 9-year-old twins, one boy and one girl.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian building ministry in which volunteers help construct a home for a “partner family,” who then pays a no-interest low mortgage to live there. Partner families are also asked to contribute “sweat equity” by participating in other construction projects.

Pancake said volunteers can park and register for the build at nearby Mock Street. Lunch, snacks and water will be provided throughout the day.

“There’s a big open field on the Mock Street site of the area, and that’s where we plan to have parking,” he said. “The registration tent will be set up and visible there as well.”

From the bypass, volunteers can drive to the build by turning onto Stewart Street, across from Andalusia Ford. From Stewart Street, turn left onto Woodruff Street and follow it to Bagley and Mock streets. Or, from River Falls Street, turn onto Stewart Street and then right onto Woodruff Street.

“There will be signs set up on both routes to show people where to go,” Pancake said.

This weekend’s build is the first half the building blitz — the second half will be the weekend of Fri., Dec. 4, and Sat., Dec. 5. Pancake said the goal for this weekend is to have “most of the walls and trusses” up by this Friday, so that volunteers can begin working on shingling the roof Saturday.

“We’re hoping that by the end of Saturday, we’ll be able to lock up the house and have it fully enclosed,” he said.

Pancake said there is a possibility of rain this Saturday, but the plan is to try and “work through it.”

“We’re still going to be out there unless it’s just really coming down,” he said. “We’re excited about the chance to build our first house here in Andalusia, and we’ve got a bunch of great volunteers who are going to be there this weekend.”

Pancake said several groups have also planned to participate, including the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College baseball team, a group from Fort Rucker, a group from Southeast Alabama Gas District, and the Key Club and Student Government Association at Andalusia High School, among others.