FLORIDA MEMORIES FROM A FLORIDA NATIVE BY TOM ROUTZONG - Habitat for Humanity Building Blocks 2006
In October of 2006 I was asked to serve on the board of directors for the Brevard County Habitat for Humanity. One month later the President asked me to represent our chapter as well as the state of Florida at the Building Blocks 2006. This event was held in Nashville, Tennessee and sponsored by Whirlpool and the National Habitat group.
In October of 2006 I was asked to serve on the board of directors for the Brevard County Habitat for Humanity. One month later the President asked me to represent our chapter as well as the state of Florida at the Building Blocks 2006. This event was held in Nashville, Tennessee and sponsored by Whirlpool and the National Habitat group.
We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Each morning we were picked up around 5:30 and bused to the work site where breakfast was served in a huge tent large enough for 400 people.
We were assigned a house and met the team that we worked with during the entire project. I met people from all over the United States and we became like family during the week together.
In just 4 days of working 12 to 15 hours a day all 10 houses were completed and the keys were presented to the new owners. Each family member worked with us the entire time.
We were assigned a house and met the team that we worked with during the entire project. I met people from all over the United States and we became like family during the week together.
In just 4 days of working 12 to 15 hours a day all 10 houses were completed and the keys were presented to the new owners. Each family member worked with us the entire time.
The funniest thing that happened to me was on day three. I was working on the outside of the house in red mud about a foot deep and slipped and fell face first in the wet mess. I looked like a red muddy pig when I got up and as soon as I stood on my feet they shot out from under me and I went down again. Going back to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel was interesting. Getting to my room required going through a good amount of the lobby that was filled with guests and needless to say I was given the eagle eye by a large number of them.
Reba McEntire was with us this entire project. She entertained us at dinner several times and she told us that she would not be holding a hammer at any time because she didn’t want the houses to fall apart. During the work week she would come around to each of the houses and give us a pep talk.
The family who got the house that I worked on had a small son about three or four years old and they told me that is greatest thing about this project was that their son would have a backyard that would be for him to play in and be safe.
Reba McEntire was with us this entire project. She entertained us at dinner several times and she told us that she would not be holding a hammer at any time because she didn’t want the houses to fall apart. During the work week she would come around to each of the houses and give us a pep talk.
The family who got the house that I worked on had a small son about three or four years old and they told me that is greatest thing about this project was that their son would have a backyard that would be for him to play in and be safe.
The last day after the presentation of the house keys was completed I had to get to the airport quickly but I decided to change clothes since I had been joked with about being the only person from sunny Florida. I came out in a tee shirt, shorts and flip flops and everyone cracked up.
This building experience is something I will remember the rest of my life. It gave me such a good feeling to know that I helped build a families first home. I still find it hard to believe we built 10 houses in 4 days.
This building experience is something I will remember the rest of my life. It gave me such a good feeling to know that I helped build a families first home. I still find it hard to believe we built 10 houses in 4 days.
FLORIDA MEMORIES FROM A FLORIDA NATIVE BY TOM ROUTZONG
Tom Routzong shares memories of old Florida
Copyright 2019 Tom Routzong
Contact Tom at:
Sunny Harbor Publishing
321-252-9874
SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Tom Routzong shares memories of old Florida
Copyright 2019 Tom Routzong
Contact Tom at:
Sunny Harbor Publishing
321-252-9874
SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
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