Habitat For Humanity Build #20: Dade City, Florida

''Habitat is not a handout,

It's a HAND UP!''

As someone not used to seeing the sun rise, we needed this lively cheer to jolt us into action. While in Florida during the month of March, we decided to join a dedicated and skillful group of Habitat for Humanity volunteers for another Care-a-Vanner build ... this time in Dade City, Florida.

Although early morning risings are not common sightings for us, we had to admit that they are pretty spectacular.  This beauty on our first morning also let us know that a lot more beauty awaited us ... time to raise up our hands in support of affordable housing! After a few days we even got used to the alarm going off at o'dark thirty ... excited for the magnificent sunrises and the bright smiles of fellow volunteers that would greet us!

Habitat for Humanity of Pasco County builds in the hot Florida sun year-round to provide decent and affordable housing for local families. But come wintertime, they really raise their hands to warmly welcome an added boost of support from snow-bird volunteers. And what a boost they received! 

This house and the one next to it were just concrete slabs on New Year's Day.

This affiliate, like all Habitat organizations, depends on volunteers to keep housing costs low.  In order to attract Care-a-Vanners, they built its own ''campground'' less than a mile from the work site to accommodate the volunteers and their RVs.  For a minimal fee, we were treated to all the comforts of ''home''. A volunteer lodge complete with a kitchen, showers, laundry, screened porch, and fire ring provided a central social space for the twenty or so Care-a-Vanners who were a part of our team.  

After our morning devotional, construction instructions, and Habitat ''cheer'', we were ready to get to work. About half of our group were ''seasonal'' volunteers who had already been volunteering here for the last three to six months ... amazing talent and dedication! Eight of us were ''newbies'', but site supervisor José patiently brought us up to speed.

...although this volunteer and his side kick may need a little extra guidance ;-)

Our group was tasked with siding the two houses as well as installing the soffit and fascia. Maria and Wendy along with future homeowner Sonia quickly mastered the skill.

What a joy to see Sonia's smile as she helped bring her dream home closer to reality.

During our two weeks on the job, we were privileged to see and take part in so many ''hand-up'' moments.

From cleaning out the storage compartment so that important and costly supplies could be stored and easily found,

... to a successful installation by ''team soffit'',

... to precise wrapping and taping of windows and electrical boxes, 

... to mastering the art of cutting, folding and installing fascia, 

... to gratitude for expert guidance and new friendships.

But best of all was working with and seeing the pride of future homeowners as they realize that their dream for decent housing for them,

... and for their precious little ones will soon become an affordable reality.

So, all hands on deck

 ... as we work together 

... to give hard working families a ''hand up'' for a brighter future!

Our ''spring break'' Care-a-Vanner build with Habitat for Humanity was ''hands down'' the best way to give a ''hand up'' to so many beautiful and deserving families!

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