Bethel Volunteer Ministry  

Pass Christian, Mississippi

Gustav & Ike
Text Box: Roofing Blitz!!! Roofing Blitz!!! Roofing Blitz!!! By Bart Tucker The Terrebonne Parish Roofing Blitz is now a very memorable history! In partnership with our long-time friends in Biloxi, HopeForce, and newer friends Bayou Grace (Chauvin, Louisiana) and Hands On New Orleans, we reroofed or repaired 14½ homes this week. Originally we had a grander goal of 50 houses. OK, some more detail. First of all, we had originally planned grander, 50 homes. The local partner with the most money withdrew. That turned out to be a blessing as 14½ kept us very busy. Bayou Grace, who did the case management, had actually only selected 13 homes, but a couple of real world events occurred. You might wander why we're counting a one-half home. Well a neighbor helped us a great deal on one of our homes so we agreed to strip and tarpaper his roof and he would shingle it later. The second event was much more comical—one of the HopeForce crews starting tearing off the roof of the wrong address. Craig Snow amicably and easily resolved the issue by just agreeing on the spot to reroof the house. Project REHAB had a team of 30 student volunteers from the University of Illinois, our trusty AmeriCorps team, and a team from Thunderbird, a Formula speedboat manufacturer from Decatur, Indiana. We also have a team from Marist High School, lead by Adam Wouk and the McConnells, to come next for "tidy up" duty. We're also very grateful to financial sponsors, Messiah United Methodist Church, Springfield, VA, and The United Church of Christ, Medfield, MA, who contributed funds for the materials for two homes. We have some quotes from some of the homeowners which I'd like to share with you: "I never had such kindness shown to me. There are wonderful people in the world." "Do people really help to fix someone's roof? I can't believe it." "Thank you, thank you! I love you and I love them so much for helping me." "Please help me. I need all their help, please. I feel so thankful and grateful for ya'll coming to help me." "The world is filled with wonderful people of all races coming together." Let me assure you their need is as serious as any we've addressed. The quotes above are a great summary of why we do what we do! And, oh, I forgot to mention that different community groups prepared awesome banquets for us each evening! On this holiday weekend, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness that all Of you have the love and passion to make the sacrifice for others and do what you do!

Plans to Continue to Help Others