Macon Habitat Dedication

Sometimes when we work on a Habitat build we are fortunate enough to be there when a home is being dedicated for the owner.  While we were in Macon, GA with the Care-A-Vanners were were able to participate in the dedication of the RV sites at the Habitat/ReStore facility.

As you may know, RVers who participate in Habitat for Humanity's ongoing builds are called 'Care-A-Vanners'.  There are 6,000 Care-A-Vanners (CAVs) around the country with about 1500 currently participating or scheduled for a build.

The affiliate in Macon wanted to get a steady stream of CAV volunteer help, so they laid out plans to install 6 RV sites with hook ups and a dump station on the property.  They have a large parking area which makes it a great location.

Sometimes Care-A-Vanners have to park at a campground which is a good distance away from the Habitat office and/or the build site.  Macon is different.

They installed electrical hookups and water for six RVs and a dump station on the property.  So it is a great situation.  After months and months of planning and with a lot of coordination and hard work they built spaces for us.  We arrived two weeks ago as the very first CAV team to use the facility.

This is a big deal.  It has the potential to house hundreds of volunteers in the future who can come and make a difference in the Macon Area.  With the goal of 'affordable housing', this effort is just one more addition to the many efforts the Macon team is pursuing in order to build houses.

Not many Habitat affiliates have RV sites on their property.  We are very impressed with what they did.  I believe it starts at the top and Harold (Macon Area Executive Director) is one of the premier Habitat affiliate leaders.  He has a great team.  I wish I had gotten a photo of the whole group but some of Harold's team includes:

• Steve - Volunteer Coordinator.  He is the best volunteer coordinator we have worked with anywhere. 
• Don - Construction Manager.  He leads all the work.  The homes in Lenmore Estates are very well built and something all can be very proud of.
• Jim - Development Director.  Jim put together the Dedication Ceremony that went off without a hitch.  While we were there he had a 'Customer Appreciate Day' and is busy setting up the annual 'Light the Night' fun run/fund raiser with Chik-Filet and others.
• Jennifer - Office Manager.  In addition to keeping everyone on schedule and running the office, she is the first person prospective homeowners speak with.  She guides them through the application process and like everyone, she wears many hats.
• Sundra - Revitatlization Manager.  She is new to the group and is working with the homeowners and neighbors in Lenmore Estates to foster a positive and friendly community.
• Charlie - ReStore manager.  He also comes early and stays late to make sure the store runs well has plenty of inventory.

I can highly recommend this location and this Habitat team to any RVers that want to sign up and participate in the great things that are going on here in Macon.  Just go to the Care-A-Vanners build page and register.

On Friday of our second week there, the affiliate had a ceremony of dedication.  The local staff, Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, dignitaries from the city and local businesses, as well a friends of Macon Area Habitat attended.  Our national coordinator for Care-A-Vanners made it a point to be here and joined in the ceremony.

The ceremony was very appropriate and Harold had inspirational words.  It was very encouraging to see the dream of hosting Care-A-Vanners pay off.  It was great to be here at this time to participate.
Jim did an outstanding job of organizing the people and the program and all the festivities.

James has an RV and is on the Board and had the honor of cutting the ribbon.  He was instrumental in getting the hookups and dump station in.

After the ceremony, we had breakfast and refreshments and got to meet folks.  Very nice event.

The real fun and purpose we are pursuing is about helping people change their lives and to create homes.  The Habitat RV sites in Macon will help hundreds after us join in the impressive work out a Lenmore Estates (where four homes are currently under construction.)

Most of our work the second week was putting up siding at this house.

We had a great team and we gathered for a group shot the last day.

First Care-A-Vanner Team at Macon Area Habitat Build - Oct/Nov 2012

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