Dallas BStA - Habitat 2005

Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Dallas Assembly
Episcopal Diocese of Dallas

PROJECTS - HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 2005

Projects - Habitat Main

Dallas Area Habitat Site

This page is a compilation photos and notes by Larry Maxwell, Steve Erickson and others managing the build of the house on Reinthal. Scroll down to see the photos and read the account of the progress, or use the links at the left to go to a specific day.

Please note that there are a lot of photos on this site and if you are using a dial-up connection, it may take a while to load completely. Be patient. Start by looking at the first day, and as you read the article and view the photos for Day 1, the photos for the remaining days will load and you can quickly move on to them.

If you would like a copy of a photo, simply "right click" on it and save it to your computer.

Day 1, September 17, 2005
St. Luke's

This year our Habitat House Leader is Steve Erickson. Steve's path to Habitat House Leader is a heart-warming story. Last fall Fr. Craig Reed and his crew from St. Andrew's - Carrollton worked on the BStA Habitat house. It was Steve and Jonna's first time working on a Habitat House. The way Steve tells it:

"The experience was so great: to help a family have a home, to work with others as the helping hands of God. I look forward to seeing everyone again and encourage everyone to come out and become a part of the Habitat experience. Exceptional things are the work of many people all doing a little to the betterment of another."

The Lord did provide a hot day, but the heat did not slow down James and Denice Chaney and the enthusiastic St. Luke's folks one bit. The first wall going up on a new home for a Habitat family is an joyous experience. The pictures below tell the story. The grateful smiles on the faces James and Denice tell us that the Lord's work is under way on Reinthal Court.

Day 2, September 24, 2005
Epiphany, Richardson & Christ Church, Dallas

Work Day 2, Sept. 24, was another super work day at Reinthal Court. On this day, the Lord provided a wonderful cloud cover and a lot of wind. The day was mostly working up top. Thanks to the hard working volunteers from Christ Church-Dallas and Epiphany-Richardson and Steve Erickson our Habitat House Leader, the new home is coming along nicely.

Day 3, October 1, 2005
St. John's, Dallas, St. Anne's, DeSoto & St. Matthias, Athens

Work Day 3, Oct. 1, was another super work day at Reinthal Court. On this day, the Lord provided a cool breeze and cloud cover for the morning. The day was mostly working up top. Thanks to the hard working volunteers from St. John's-Dallas, the new home is coming along nicely.

Day 4, October 8, 2005
Redeemer, Irving, St. Andrew's, Farmers Branch

On Work Day 4, Oct. 8, the Lord provided a beautiful fall sky, and cool, crisp air. It was truly a day the Lord made, and the folks from Redeemer-Irving, St. Andrew's-Farmers Branch and the Chaneys were glad and rejoiced in it.

To begin the day, James thanked the Lord for providing a new home for he and Denice, Denice shed a tear or two. These folks are so grateful to everyone for helping to make their dream of their own home a reality. Steve went over the Goals for the Day and everyone went to work, and I mean went to work. The work that was accomplished was truly amazing.

During the morning some strange birds (looked a lot like pink flamingos ! ? ! ? ) appeared on the roof of the Chaney's new home, but they didn't seem to distract Roger and the folks (including Denice's Dad) installing shingles on the roof.

Thanks to the folks from Redeemer for providing lunch for everyone. The youngsters from Redeemer helped with lunch, when they were not blowing bubble gum bubbles. And, this day was a special occasion - the birthday of Steve, our House Leader. Jonna provided a giant chocolate cake which was enjoyed by all. Thanks to the hard working folks from Redeemer and St. Andrew's (with some welcome help from Habitat's Wed. and Thurs. volunteers), the roof in finished, the windows and doors are installed, we're caught up and on schedule.

Day 5, October 15,2005
Good Shepherd, Dallas & St. George's, Dallas

On Work Day 5, Oct. 15, the folks from Good Shepherd - Dallas were at 1819 Reinthal Court to greet the beautiful early morning sunrise. Steve, our Habitat House Leader went over the tasks for the day, there was a brief time-out for a photo of the Good Shepherd crew, and everybody went to work on James and Denice's new home.

In a short time several wonderful ladies from St. George's - Dallas arrived and joined the Chaneys and crew from Good Shepherd. Again this week, the work that was accomplished was truly amazing. Most of the siding was installed and the soffits were completed (no small tasks), all interior blocking was completed and most of the exterior trim was completed.

Thanks to Daphne Head and all the hard working Good Shepherd crew and thanks to the McClarys for providing lunch for everyone. Denice Chancey celebrated a birthday last week, so Steve (yes, that's Steve, our House Leader) baked a cake for Denice, which was enjoyed by all along with a round of "Happy Birthday" to Denice.

Day 6, October 22, 2005
Grace, Mesquite

Work Day 6, Oct. 22: The folks from Grace - Mesquite arrived bright and early at 1819 Reinthal Court. Steve, our Habitat House Leader, had a few kind words to say about our volunteers:

"Each week, the number of volunteers has been tremendous! Without people coming out nothing gets accomplished. And sharing good solid work to make a difference in James and Denice's life is extraordinary."

Thanks to the crew from Grace - Mesquite and with the wonderful help of Habitat's interior trim crew, a lot was accomplished on this day. The interior doors didn't make it to the Chaney's house, so our good neighbors from Richardson Interfaith and Highland Park Presbyterian who are building the house across the street, kindly gave us two spare doors. All interior trim that could be completed, was completed, and all of the siding is now installed. Gosh, that siding took some time.

During lunch break, a big round of "Happy Birthday" put a smile on Eugene's face. No cake, but he got all the cookies he wanted.

Day 7, October 29, 2005
St. Matthew's, St. Michael's, Good Samaritan, et al.

Work Day 7, Oct. 29, at 1819 Reinthal was all about caulking and painting. The folks from St. Matthew's, St. Michael's, Good Samaritan and a few other volunteers who just love to caulk and paint, stayed busy all day with tubes of Dapp, paint rollers and brushes, finishing the interior of Denice and James' new home.
Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteer workers, construction of the Chaney's new home remains on schedule.

Day 8, November 5, 2005
Holy Nativity, Plano, Holy Trinity, Rockwall & Incarnation, Dallas

Work Day 8, Nov. 5. The Lord provided a beautiful day for the good folks from Holy Nativity-Plano, Holy Trinity-Rockwall and Incarnation-Dallas working at 1819 Reinthal Court. The brick is up, interior and exterior painting is just about completed and the Chaneys' new home is looking great. James and Denice can't wait to move into their new home. They are so grateful, and as James says: "Each day we thank the good Lord and everyone who has come out each Saturday to help build our new home." Being mindful of the needs of others, and giving of our time, talent and treasure:

"There is a reason you touch people's lives and they touch yours. God winks when you make a small difference in someone's life."

Day 9, November 12, 2005
St. James-Dallas & Apostles-Coppell

Work Day 9, Nov. 12. James and Denice's new home at 1819 Reinthal is just about ready for them to move in, and they can't wait. Saturday was landscaping day, and of course the finishing touches with the caulk guns and paint brushes. Many thanks to the good folks from St. James-Dallas and Apostles-Coppell for all of your hard work.
A special "thank you" to the group of National Honor Society students from Cedar Hill High School, who provided an instant lawn and planted three trees for the Chaneys. What a wonderful group of youngsters. They worked hard, enjoyed themselves and were a delight to have with us.

Although Nov. 12 was our last "official" Work Day on the Chaneys' new home, we really do need 10 or 12 folks this coming Saturday, Nov. 19 to help with "punch list" items, to make the Chaneys' new home as near perfect as it can be. If you can, please come out on Nov. 19. Youngsters, age 14 and up are welcome. Our Habitat House Leader, Steve Erickson, has been hinting of bringing a grill and cooking hamburgers.

Day 10, November 19, 2005
Various Churches & Volunteers

Work Day 10, Nov. 19. The Lord provided a beautiful day for the final work day on the Chaneys' new home. The work crew was small, but very enthusiastic. Several youth from Good Shepherd painted the shed and just about all of the punch list items were completed with a little caulking here and there. Steve and his friend provided a wonderful treat for lunch: Bratwurst, potato salad, grapes, cheese and of course, chocolate chip cookies. Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteer workers, the house is finished and James and Denice will be moving into their new home on December 10.

The Dedication of the Brotherhood's 10th Habitat house will be at 1819 Reinthal, at 1:00 p.m. following Annual Meeting. All Brotherhood members and guests are welcome to attend.

Day 11, December 3, 2005
The Dedication

Day 11, Dec. 3. The Lord provided a beautiful warm day to celebrate the dedication of the Chaneys' new home. There was a good turn-out, with representatives from most of the churches and organizations volunteering for construction. There was the usual dedication program with remarks by Jackie McCourt of Habitat, the invocation and remarks by Bishop Stanton, introduction of the family by Larry Maxwell, the presentation of gifts and remarks by the family. James provided moving witness on how God turned his life around. The festivities continued with cake, soda and snacks.

Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteer workers, the house is finished and James and Denice will be moving into their new home on December 10.

Version 0.1, November 1, 2006