Submitted by Team Leaders:
Paul & Mary Dammers on February 13, 2003

Fifteen volunteers from the FMCA Chapter, Habitat for Humanity framed two (2) houses at 12th St. and Park Ave in Riverside, CA from Jan. 22 – 31, 2003. The team, Paul & Mary Dammers F135857 Team Leaders; Lynn & Deann Harrington F239447 Assistant Team Leaders; Jay & Donna Blumenthal F230605 first time builders; Stuart & Ruth Donnelly F241400; Bill Ferguson F184735; David & Nancy Jo Fridline F172701; Bob & Clarice Mangum F140950; and Corbett & Connie Pool F140306 worked a total of 983 hours and traveled 2,736 miles between the campground and the job site. We had on site supervisors for the first 4 days and intermittently for the last 5 days. The affiliate had minimal tools (hand) available. The volunteers had a variety of their own tools, which enabled us to carry on the building process. Ladders were a premium and again our volunteers came through with their own. The job site was fenced and locked for security reasons and we were given a set of keys. There was a phone available on site.

We arrived thinking we would be working on one house, but two slabs were ready for framing. The team was divided into two groups, one for each house. When the sheathing was delivered, we had to move all 100 sheets into the on-site storage trailer so it could be locked up out of sight.

Because on site supervision was not available every day and with the strict building codes, some things had to be torn out and redone.

There was one on site incident when a female volunteer fell from a stepladder and broke her upper arm and wrist. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance where she was x-rayed. Her arm was immobilized and she was released to see an orthopedic surgeon the next day where her wrist was set and put in a cast.

The team parked their motorhomes approximately 19 miles from the build site at Lake Perris State Park at no cost.

A welcome dinner was held at a church near the build site. Other local churches provided lunch’s everyday. Our own group provided snacks and water. The affiliate had a noontime ceremony at the build site where the house recipients and families were introduced. They also presented each volunteer with a Habitat House pin, a pen and T-shirt in appreciation of their dedicated work.

Thank you notes have been sent to all individuals and organizations that assisted the team during the build. Thank you messages were also sent to all build participants\

Local newspapers covered our participation in the build with a front-page story and pictures.

In summary, we wished we had on site supervisors every day that were familiar with the local building codes. This would have made the construction a lot smoother. However the build was a successful experience for everyone, with much work accomplished.

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