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DSSW 2011 Session 2: The Ramp

Administrator — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:50:33 +0000

Session 2′s big project: a ramp. Brent’s knee prevented him from the physical work on the ramp, so a couple of Habitat for Humanity “Geezers” (self-proclaimed) helped us out on Monday and Tuesday. We finished the ramp ourselves on Wednesday! In addition to building the ramp, we also replaced the front steps, touched up the paint on the handrails, and redesigned the landscaping in the front yard to accommodate the ramp. Mrs. King spoke eloquently with us about serving the community, and we were glad to be there when she first walked into her home by herself. Thank you, Mrs. King.

Session 1, the Sequel

Administrator — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:09:48 +0000

Finally, one week later, the concrete arrived for the sidewalk. Cameron and Natalie H. were there for the event. Session 2 participants helped hang the Welcome Home banner. Brent ran the show from his chair. Finally a “welcome home” entrance for our Session 1 home!

DSSW 2011 Session 1

Administrator — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:49:08 +0000

DSSW’s second year got off to a great start June 19-24! Eleven kids and 3 leaders fixed up a home in N. Durham and created a wide sidewalk entrance to make the home accessible. They also worked for Housing for New Hope, the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, the Food Bank, and St. Philip’s Community Garden suppers; and learned about Durham Central Market, the Durham Cookery, and Urban Ministries.

The old sidewalk was broken up and removed to the dump. About 5 pickup truckloads of trash were also removed to the dump. Trim was painted the right color of green on the second try. A bird adopted us on Monday, but abandoned us on Tuesday. We found a bike and lots of golf balls in Ellerbe Creek. We had 3 Natalies and 1 Robin in DSSW 2011.1. Jake’s baby came along for the fun on Day 3. Pelican SnoBalls cooled us off, but no one tried dill pickle flavor. We were efficient: we sorted through almost all of the boxes of canned goods at the Food Bank, helped the St. Philip’s garden folks finish the dinner by 8:30 (an hour and a half ahead of schedule), finished the house before Friday, and packed 100 Real Change bags in less than 15 minutes. We read really bad riddles during the down times at FPC. Brent’s knee kept him off the worksite the last two days, but he coordinated construction on the cell phone from his couch, and couldn’t stay away from the Eno River party on Friday.

A few pictures below summarize the week.

Thanks everyone for a great week!

The 2010 camp crew and project

Administrator — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:40:05 +0000

The residents and crew on the ramp built during the 2010 camp.