WANT TO HELP BUILD? We'll be happy to accept everyone's help! Blitz day is October 17 and there will be work days most weekends after that. Sign up online (click on the blue bar titled "2009 Volunteer Sign-up Form) or contact MPUMC’s Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Hartwig directly at 670-6694 or by email at jennhartwig@comcast.net.

Family:

On October 17, MPUMC will begin construction of a new 3 bedroom, 1120 square feet home for Carolyn Melton, who is a very deserving single mom, her 14 year-old son, and her elderly mother.

This single mom was accepted into the Habitat program in March of 2008.  She has already accumulated 440 of  the required 500 sweat equity hours  in weekly budget classes, has attended construction classes as well as volunteered to help Habitat maintain the courtyard landscaping.  She has received bonus hours by completing the curriculum for Realizing the American Dream, a class designed to help prepare her to be a successful homeowner. She has worked at St. Mary’s Holton Health Care for twelve years. Her son is fourteen and started high school this fall and is playing football.  For the past 12 years, her 82 year old mother has lived with them in their two bedroom trailer. She is so excited about starting construction on her own home where they will have more room and a place to call their own!

DIRECTIONS:

The home is located at 4300 Van Dyke Street near West High School. Click here
to find this property on Mapquest.

From the West:

• Start out going EAST on KINGSTON PIKE
• Turn LEFT onto CARR ST NW.
• Turn RIGHT onto SUTHERLAND AVE NW.
• Turn LEFT onto JADE RD NW.
• Turn LEFT onto VAN DYKE AVE.
• 4300 VAN DYKE is on the LEFT  

From Downtown:

• Start out going SOUTH on CUMBERLAND AVE SW.
• Turn RIGHT onto CONCORD ST SW.
• Turn LEFT onto SUTHERLAND AVE.
• Turn RIGHT onto JADE RD NW.
• Turn LEFT onto VAN DYKE
• 4300 VAN DYKE AVE is on the LEFT.

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. Each worker must also 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!