Habitat Sandtown Blitz Week 2003

My thoughts...

Bringing hope by providing decent, affordable housing. That is the motto for the Sandtown Habitat for Humanity project.

Here are my thoughts and observations at the conclusion of my second Blitz Week.

It was hot-but not nearly as hot as last year. It was dusty and dirty-but not nearly as dusty and dirty as last year.

Another great week. But this year was different. Demolition is always faster than building. Not much demolition this year although some things were removed. Some walls were partially taken down to install the steel lintals above the doorways. The stairs; both basement and first floor had to be moved. There was a fair amount of brickwork with finishing doorways. For me, masonry is easier and more satisfying; more 'forgiving' in its need for accuracy and precision. Particularly when the bricks will be covered by plywood and plasterboard. But even the exposed basement doorframe we worked on-there is time to correct and adjust before the change is permanent. Unlike woodwork where the cut is the cut and it is either right or wrong.

My hands are sore and cut. I am not used to such manual labor with my hands. I had to remove my wedding ring after the work on Monday. I haven't removed it in years. Probably 10. But the bricks and motar were scratching and gouging it too much. Feels unusual and odd but it was getting mangled.

This year our family crew was much smaller; Eric and Amy, Grandpa and John Elsen. But that gave us the chance to meet and work with other volunteers who spent the week at out house. Like Chase Nelson and Jean Hawkins and Mara and Kim. It was nice to work side by side with them and get to know them and learn a little about their world and life.

There were a large gathering of volunteers again this year. It seemed like there was much more painting (outside) and landscaping work done this year as compared to last year. Maybe I was just more aware of it. But there were large groups painting many Habitat homes-providing a new, fresh coat of paint on the outside.

There was a house down our block which was under renovation last summer during Blitz Week. It is now a soft blue color and occupied. The dedication house from last year on Friday of Blitz Week has a lush green lawn for its back yard and has a newborn being held by her mom as she sits in the shade of her Habitat home. I see them while I have lunch under the big white tents. They are happy and content together. So am I to see them and to know that their lives are changed. One house at a time. One family at a time. Making a new home, one at a time.

The emphasis of construction on the house this year is building interior room walls and completing brick work on the interior doorways.

Volunteers:
Monday-
None
Tuesday-
Jean Harris
Kim
Maya
Chase Nelson
Wednesday-
Heather Schott
Nikki Robicheaux
Lynette Burrows
Chris Bumbray
Kristina Bennett
Trevor
Thursday-
Charles Parks
Brett Yeager
Ron Brown
Amir Gladden
Leslie Bosley
Janine Smith
Mark Bennett

There are times in life; experiences or gatherings which seem so spontaneous and lively that words don’t describe the feelings and wonder of the event accurately. Such is the week at Sandtown. Building Blitz Week is full of those episodes. How can feelings of satisfaction and pride be explained which come from giving families hope? or the excruciating pain from slamming a hammer head on your thumb rather than a nail head? Or the stickiness of the oppressive Baltimore heat and humidity which brick dust and sawdust adhere so well to your wet arms and face? How is it that I can drink so much water but never need a restroom? And at the day’s end I step back, snap a few more photos and smile to consider the work which was done.

It’s Blitz Week. It’s Sandtown. It’s giving hope. One nail and one brick at a time. It’s Habitat for Humidity and the love by providing decent housing for all.

Most all of the non-family volunteers asked when they could come back. That was very gratifying to us-they caught what we caught; fulfillment and satisfaction is contagious.

Tom Klamm
July, 2003