WANT TO HELP BUILD? We'll be happy to accept everyone's help! Blitz day is February 18, 2012 and there will be work days most weekends after that. Online signups are available below or you can contact MPUMC’s Volunteer Coordinator.

Family:

This year's hous is being built for a refugee family from the small African country of Burundi who attend First United Methodist Church. They came to the United States through a program called Bridges International, which helps people escape from countries with dangerous political situations.

Joseph Nzohabonimana and Maria Ntirandekura have lived in Knoxville for four and a half years. They both work for GCA services and have five children. They are very excited about starting the construction process. Maria and Joseph have worked very hard to complete their sweat equity hours by taking budgeting, construction, nutrition, and many other classes. Their younger children have also been able to participate by receiving good grades in school. When they are not working they enjoy cooking, going to church, and spending time with their family. They are excited to have a place that they can call their own.

DIRECTIONS:

The house will be constructed at 1326 W Baxter NW. Click the map below to get specific driving directions from your location. General directions from West Knoxville are:

• Take I-40 East toward downtown Knoxville
• At exit 387A, take ramp right for I-275 North toward Lexington (1.0 mi)
• At exit 1A, take ramp right and follow signs for Baxter Ave
  (0.1 mi)
• Turn left onto W Baxter Ave NW (0.4 mi)
• Turn right onto Mercer St, and then immediately turn left onto
  W Baxter Ave NW (305 ft)
• Arrive at 1326 W Baxter Ave NW, Knoxville, TN 37921
• The last intersection is Mercer St. If you reach Reed St NW, you've gone too far
• Due to lack of parking car pooling is recommended or park at Beaumont Elementary School.
  
  

INFORMATION about what to bring and what to wear will be located next to the sign-up sheets when they are posted at the church.  Volunteers can also contact Jennifer Hartwig directly at 670-6694 or at jennhartwig@comcast.net

WHAT TO WEAR: On the construction site everyone must wear closed toe shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS! Work boots are best. Some people prefer wearing sneakers while working on the roof.

HFH will provide safety glasses and hard hats. They also have work gloves. However, the gloves are very big and often mix-matched. If you prefer to use gloves to work in and you have small hands, you may want to bring your own.

Long pants or shorts (weather permitting) and old shirts are appropriate. On warm, sunny days it is a good idea to bring a hat and sunscreen.

Weather policy: Work will only be cancelled at the job site. If there is rain in the forecast, volunteers should bring raingear (a raincoat and hat). They may also want to bring with them a pair of shoes to change into and a plastic bag to put their muddy shoes in. A larger trash bag (to sit on in the car) is also helpful.

WHAT TO BRING: HFH will have a supply of tools available on site for volunteers unfamiliar with construction. Please do not purchase new tools to participate in the build.

Tools you may wish to bring with you hammer, nail apron with hammer hoop or tool belt, tape measure, pencils, retracting utility knife and spare blades, speed square.

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity now requires that EVERY volunteer signs a Release and Waiver of Liability before beginning work on the site.

Volunteers must be 16 to work on the site and 18 to use ladders and/or power tools. For "seed and straw" work, younger volunteers are permitted. Each worker must complete and sign a Release of Liability form and turn it in on their first work-day. Download the waiver here and remember to bring it with you!