It was my first time volunteering with this workcamp. My Sister has done it for the past few years.
This year our cousin, Bunny, was a recipient of the workcamp. One group put down a new kitchen floor for her. We were representing my sister's church and were assigned the side porch which was completed rusted and the front porch rails. Susan's granddaughters were also on the porch project.
A ramp was being constructed so that my cousin would be able to get in and out of her house without struggling to get up her steps.
Our day started at 7 am and ended anywhere from 1 - 5:30 pm. The last day it was 5:30 pm so that we could complete the ramp. After we finished our porch duties we pitched in on the ramp project.
You could volunteer to work for whatever time you had available during the week. My sister worked everyday and worked Tuesday through Friday. At the end of the work day we were all exhausted but it was a good exhaustion knowing we were helping someone in need.
Throughout the week there were about 20 different volunteers. There were six young people working with us throughout the week ranging in age from 13 to college. The oldest person was a gentleman who was 83, Yarb. He is also know as "The Cross Man". He makes cross necklaces and gives them to everyone he meets even the people a Home Depot. After presenting you with a cross he hugs you and says "you have now been Yarbisized." It was a pleasure working with this very talented gentleman.
My sister and I are both A-types. On this project the two ladies in charge were both A-types but not just A-types they were AAA-types. Everything had to be discussed and discussed and worked on until everything was perfect. I think you could call that ramp the "gourmet ramp" of ramps. They even sanded the edges of the hand rails. It took all week to build it.
On Thursday we were assigned yard clean up for a lady two doors up from my cousins. We filled 27 contractor size trash bags. The smile on her face when she came home was worth every aching muscle from cut down small dead trees, trimming bushes and digging out weeds. Even the lady's neighbor came out to thank us for cleaning up the yard. I am not sure the trash collectors were smiling when they pulled up to her house.
Every morning breakfast was provided at one of the participating churches and dinner was provided by various churches at which time work reports were given. My sister and I attended the dinner on Thursday evening. On Friday evening there is a slide show all all the work projects, dinner, awards and a communion service. One of the youngest members of our team was given the Rookie Award, a T-shirt with Rookie 1 on it.
Now I am hooked. I am looking forward to workcamp 2014.
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