Jim Lyle's
Updates on Habitat for Humanity

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June 28, 2009

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

Your imagination does not deceive you and your memory is not playing tricks on you. We have had a lengthy hiatus (some cynics might say "welcome") since our last Habitat communication. Don't let the passage of time fool you into thinking nothing has transpired. On the contrary, there's been much work going on to determine where our formidable Habitat team will next put its talents to use.

So grab a coffee or cold drink and settle in for some background on what our options are going forward.

Our Situation  

For the first time in seven summers we have no Habitat Blitz Build on the calendar. Why?  Well, to put it simply, we never appreciated how good we had it for so many years when our Sound Coalition partner First Church Congregational, Fairfield, had MBI Inc. lined up to pay the construction costs of a new Habitat home each year.  

Now the economic landscape for our Habitat projects has changed as it has for the rest of the world.  MBI is no longer in a position to pay for the Sound Coalition homes.  Habitat of Coastal Fairfield County requires a substantial portion of funding in advance for any new home starts.  In past years due to MBI's extraordinary generosity we had funding in place in advance of the construction of our new homes with the exception of our most recent "Green" project on  Helen Street.

For Helen Street the four partner churches in the Sound Coalition agreed to share the construction costs equally.  Thanks to the generosity of WCC's Missions Board and our very successful March fund-raiser, we've paid down over 80% of WCC's portion of the cost of  Helen Street .

The challenge before us is where we go with the tremendous combination of our skilled volunteers and highly motivated young people in our partnership with Wilton High's Habitat Club.

For the answer I turn to the greatest resource we have going for us: each of you.

You may hold the solution or have a suggestion how we can identify and/or fund some projects, even in this challenging business and economic environment.

What we have built over the seven years in terms of people and capabilities is too valuable to lose.

Here's a snapshot of where things stand.

Habitat for Humanity - Coastal Fairfield County

• Our Sound Coalition partnership has drifted apart.  Some members (First Church, Fairfield and Greenfield Hills) are supporting a very worthy home repair/improvement initiative called "Rebuilding Together" (see below)

• One Sound Coalition partner, Monroe Congregational, still wants to work with Wilton on building projects

• For 2009 Habitat of CFC is committed to completing the six town home, twelve family condos in the  historical preservation project on Williams Street. We've worked a few days there over the past 18 months.  Its brick exterior and lack of any yards and landscaping does not lend itself to the type of work our legendary Wilton Swarm pulls off with grace and style. And Habitat of CFC needs to finish the 12 condos this year, homes for a substantial group of deserving families.

• On another front Habitat of CFC is actively negotiating with the City of Bridgeport to get title to several abandoned, burned out home-sites.  Those properties are eyesores and degrade the surrounding property values, including some Habitat homeowners' places.  The plan is to dismantle the homes or multi-family buildings and recycle the useful materials.  Then the vacant properties will be titled to Habitat as future home-sites.  Habitat of CFC knows Wilton wants to play a role in the "deconstruction" process.

But it may take months to get the projects to a stage where we can work on them, given the slow movement of the government wheels.

There's also a possibility of rehabilitating a Habitat home that has become vacant due to a divorce.

Habitat for Humanity - Danbury

I have reached out to this smaller Habitat affiliate and pitched the experienced workforce all of you represent.

Our skill level is definitely of interest to them.  At this point the first available workday is December, though there may be other projects available sooner.

Next week we will send our two carpentry leaders, Ian and Dexter, for a recon visit and meeting with the head of construction in Danbury .  Hopefully they'll scout out some Dunkin Donuts locations in the area.

Rebuilding Together - Stamford

• As noted two of our Sound Coalition partners started working with Rebuilding Together two years ago, the Stamford affiliate of a small national organization that has a "Christmas in April" mission for needy homeowners

• Rebuilding Together works on existing homes, assisting homeowners with repairs and painting, similar to what our Youth Mission groups do on their trips

• Rebuilding Together coordinates the projects, does the cost estimating and turns to the volunteer groups, often churches, to fund the construction materials ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per project

• Rebuilding Together assumes the liability for the projects it manages, a major consideration for any group looking to do good in a litigious society

• I have reached out to the Stamford director to learn more about how we might work with the group

• A dream at this stage, this could be a good use of our many hands, serving a deserving Wilton homeowner (or one in Norwalk, Easton, Redding or elsewhere) who needs some construction work done to maintain a home or add a ramp for a disabled resident WCC would need to work with Rebuilding Together to cover the liability and project coordination issues

• Through our Nancy Toll, I am in contact with the Mid-Fairfield County Service Agency, which identifies and screens needy families.  The Agency is looking for projects for our team

• Likewise our WCC membership and Habitat team members may have some local projects to suggest, in which case we'd ask Rebuilding Together to work with us on the venture

In summary, what we need is the right project(s) for our team.

So give a thought to the following questions. 

1. Do you know of any Wilton or area homeowners (or agencies that know them) who are in need of construction work, repairs or painting but are unable to pay outsiders to do the work?
2. Do you work for or know of any corporations or donors that might be willing to partner with us and donate funds for the construction of or repairs to a home, which we could carry out on their behalf and/or with their employees?

Thanks in advance for giving this some thought and coming forward with any suggestions or ideas.

Attending last Saturday's graduation of the Wilton High Class of 2009, I saw a dozen seniors who started working with us on Habitat as freshmen.  They contributed to so many of our projects and it's a joy to see them head off to new lives outside of Wilton , armed with the gift of giving back through Habitat.

We simply have to keep our momentum going.  The work we've done and the lives we've improved over the last seven years, including our own, are simply too worthy to let slip away.

Something will work out for us here. I am confident it will.  And most likely it'll be several things.

Thank you, as always, for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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March 19, 2009

Dear Fellow Habitaters- 

Move over, T. Boone Pickens here comes Susie Harrison, the 3 kW power queen! As of this past Tuesday, the Helen Street project is pumping current back into the grid, at least what Susie, her daughters, and Jermaine aren't consuming. United Illuminating obviously sensed our collective rage over the delays getting Susie's new meter installed.  Now her photovoltaic panels are in full operation. And her whole system would not be there without the generosity of our solar saint, Ron French, and his team at Alteris Renewables, Inc.. 

Many of you joined us last Saturday for our Missions Fund-raiser and made it such a successful evening.  We'll be making a donation soon to Habitat from a share of the proceeds.  Susie and Jermaine both expressed thanks for being invited.  They were pleased to see so many of the Wilton Congregational Habitat volunteers who made their dream come true.  And having the WHS Habitat Club members on hand made the evening that much more special. 

Now we're only two days away from our next Habitat workday. We don't need a large crew, just some dedicated workers. Just let me know if you'd like to join us and work side-by-side with our high school volunteers. This will be one of our last workdays before summer.  So let's hear from you. 

Thanks as always for your contributing support of Habitat and, on behalf of my fellow Missions Board members, thanks for last Saturday's special evening in support of our friends in Bridgeport and Children's Rescue Mission in Teupasenti.

All the best, Jim

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Greetings to Fellow Habitaters -

We are just nine days from a "two-fer" at our Helen Street project: our last workday on December 13 and the Dedication Ceremony rolled into one.

As hard as it is to believe, fourteen weeks ago there was a pile of pre-built panels on the ground next to the newly poured basement foundation at 387 Helen Street, awaiting the start of construction. Now in just a week and two days we will dedicate Habitat of Coastal Fairfield County's "greenest" home.

As always we'll work side-by-side with our High School Habitat Club partners. We plan to work until 1:00 p.m. when the Dedication ceremony is set to begin.

So let's hear if you can join us. We won't need a large crew, just an enthusiastic one.

And everyone who works that day — in fact, any Habitat volunteer — is welcome to attend the ceremony, as our homeowner Susie and her two daughters symbolically receive ownership to their new home. (The formal closing is in a lawyer's office--boring.)

As our co-Captain of Carpentry Dexter Below once observed, there's no better load test of the first floor joists than a living room packed with Dedication ceremony attendees. (Note: if you see Dexter hugging an exterior wall, you'd be advised to follow his example.)

If you haven't attended a Dedication, it's guaranteed to pack a lot of emotion and joy. Our Reverend Brigitta Remole will be among the pastors participating at the ceremony.

Here's the update on the Harrison family's "green" home. Most of the exterior work is complete and all the inside walls have at least one coat of paint on them. On December 13 we'll have a few final projects as well as a general cleanup.

On November 20 the family's 3kw solar panel system was installed by our solar saint Ron French and his Solarworks team. Hopefully we'll see the system in action at our workday.

So let's hear if you can join us on Saturday, December 13.

Finally, let me close with two thoughts.

I've witnessed something that I've dubbed the "Colwell" effect. Following Howie Colwell's stirring farewell sermon to the Wilton Congregation, at least new three Habitat volunteers have signed on. Each cited Howie's reference to the "holy spirit," which moved him to do so much for WCC over 49 years of membership, as the reason they wanted to work on Habitat. Here I thought an offer of free donuts would draw folks to our program.

And during my Thanksgiving celebration I was reminded how thankful I am for the enormous support so many of you give our Habitat program with your donations of time, hard work, and good cheer.

I hope to see many of you on December 13.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim 

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November 8, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

With just two more workdays left at our "green" project on Helen Street, those of you waiting quietly in the wings to take part in this historic energy-saving home better get cracking.

Our next Habitat workday is one week from today, Saturday, November 15.

In late October the legendary Wilton Swarm showed up with 35 adults and WHS Habitat Club members. We cleaned up the house, built the first stage of the front porch, completed shingling the rear gable, cleared the lot and hauled away a lot of rocks and debris.

Then we broke for lunch.

This Saturday there will be interior painting, more porch building, and the usual mix of surprise tasks and seasonal donuts (watch for variations on a pumpkin theme). As always we'll be working side-by-side with the wonderful members of the Wilton High Habitat Club.

Let's hear from you. We may have one more workday in December and then it will be dedication time.

Here's the update on the solar photovoltaic panels for the Harrison family roof: weather permitting, the panels will be installed on Thursday, November 20. It promises to be a great day for Susie and her family, thanks to the generosity of Wilton Congregational's solar saint, Ron French, and his business partner, Tim Seamans.

So check your calendars for next Saturday. Postpone the flu shot you had scheduled and come join us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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October 9, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

The Harrison family dream "green" home is moving ever closer to completion.

Thanks to the highly motivated combo of WCC members and WHS Habitat Club students, the legendary Wilton Swarm knocked off another highly productive workday on September 27.

Led by our Co-Captain of Carpentry Ian Tesar, the WCC team members broke into units with the 18 WHS Club members. One team, under the guidance of Keith Shoemaker, Gil Bray, faculty advisors Dann Pompa and Kristina Westerfield, and your faithful correspondent, installed extra thick insulation on the entire second floor, walls and ceilings, and much of the first floor.

Out back Steve Bell and several Club members dug the piers and poured concrete for the rear porch. In the front another team dug trenches for the downspout drains and four holes for the front piers.

The weather wasn't totally cooperative but the team was undeterred, thanks to the winning mix of "Swarm pride" and plentiful donuts. At this pace Susie Harrison and her daughters should celebrate Christmas in their new home.

Our next workday is Saturday, October 25.   Mark your calendars and let us know if you'll be joining us.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

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September 19, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

Eight days remain before our first Fall workday on our ninth Habitat home - Susie Harrison's "green" dream at 387 Helen Street.

Following our mid-August "Blitz Build", Habitat work crews and our Sound Coalition partners have toiled away on the home. As of last Saturday, 90% of the siding is complete, the roof is fully shingled, all plumbing and electrical is roughed in, and the roof trim is done. At this pace Susie and her two daughters may celebrate Christmas in their new home, certainly New's Year Eve. Imagine lighting their Christmas tree with photons from the sun!

What a story. In less than two years the three will have gone from homeless shelter to home owners.

For our Saturday, September 27 workday, we'll team with the Wilton High Habitat Club, Steve Bell and his fellow advisors. As of now we're scheduled to dig the holes for the front porch footers, among other tasks.

We'll need a handful of Wilton Congregational volunteers to work with the Club. So let's hear from you.

In other news, this week's "Wilton Villager" features a story about Wilton's role in the Helen Street "green" project and the generous donation of the solar PV system by our solar saint Ron French and his partner Tim Seamans. (See the link that follows.)

Habitat has its first "Builder's Blitz" starting this Monday at 7 AM at 950 Hancock Avenue. Habitat Board member Glen Tatangelo, a major Fairfield County developer, has called in favors among his subcontractors and friends to pull off this five-day wonder.

"Builder's Blitz" begins with a bare platform over the basement Monday, just as we do with our "Blitz." Crews will roll into the Hancock worksite according to a carefully orchestrated 24/7 schedule, worked out with weeks of planning by Glen and his team.

On Friday afternoon at 5 PM the new Habitat home will be completely finished, ready for the dedication ceremony. And to think how impressed we are with all we accomplish on one of our "Blitz Builds."

If you're in the area, stop by anytime, day or night, encourage the crews, and share a donut with them.

Let's hear from you about our Saturday, September 27 workday. And thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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August 26, 2008 - The Blitz Build Wrap-Up Report

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

Another Blitz Build is in the record books!

Thanks to many of you and our partners in the Sound Coalition, our optimal daily crew size of 20 volunteers delivered on the promise of an amazing new "green" home for Susie Harrison and her daughters.

When we left Saturday afternoon, all the doors and windows were in, a third of the siding on the north face was in place, and the roof was fully sheathed and awaiting shingles. Inside, surrounded by gorgeous 2 x 6 inch walls that screamed "insulate me," are two brand new staircases and all interior walls. And the worksite was the cleanest ever.

At this pace, the Harrison family might celebrate the holidays in their new home at 387 Helen Street.

Thanks go to our fabulous Wilton team members working as always under the extraordinary guidance of our two co-captains of carpentry, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below. Both worked multiple days and the results were the usual highest quality.

Wilton Congregational dispatched teams all six days of Blitz Build. Many of our folks, we're proud to note, worked multiple days.

Our Blitz Build heroes were Ian Tesar, Dexter Below, Luke Shoemaker, Mel Ingold, Brian Ingold, Steve Bell, Erin Bell, Tom Levack, Keith Shoemaker, Jim Turnbull, Ingrid Gambee, Jim Bollinger, Eliza Bollinger, Alicia Owen, Ernie Krehbiel, Peter Burger, Fred Morris, and Jim Lyle.

We were joined by generous WCC "friends," many of whom gave several days too, including Evan Crane (who will be missed mightily as he heads off to University of Delaware next week after giving several years of great Habitat service to WCC), Glenn Pogust, Alison Pogust, Julia Pogust (who is off to Cornell after several years as a star WHS Habitat Club member), Elizabeth Radshaw, Daniel Chalone-Browne, Paul Snayd, and Patty Kondub (Joan Black's personal trainer).

As always Wilton Congregational deliver fabulous lunches to our crews, thanks to Joan Black, Marge Anderson, and Marge's sister visiting from Gallup, NM. They even treated us to green table cloths, cutlery and napkins!

If one theme emerged at this year's Blitz Build, besides "green," it was pro football.

Susie Harrison's boyfriend Jermaine joined her and the rest of us for Saturday's workday. A mighty fellow, he tried out for the Carolina Panthers (rejected...for being too old...at 29!) and ended up playing for Charlotte's semi-pro team.

Thursday's workday welcomed Randy Minnear of a Greenfield Hills Congregational, a fullback and special teams player for the New York Giants from 1966-1969 and the Cleveland Browns in 1970. After leaving the NFL, Randy found solace in the much calmer world of municipal bond trading.

As an undergrad at Purdue, Randy caught passes from Bob Griese; as a Giants fullback, he took hand-offs from Fran Tarkenton; and as a Habitat volunteer, he snagged Subway sandwiches from Joan Black.

See what fun you missed!

Now, we'll back on our once a month schedule for the Fall beginning on Saturday, September 27. So mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Thanks again to everyone who pitched in on "Blitz" and thanks for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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Dear Fellow Habitaters,

When Robert Burns wrote, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry," he may have had Habitat in mind.

This summer's long awaited Blitz Build - our ninth Habitat home - is going to be a longer wait. Due to delays getting building approvals in Bridgeport, the excavation work is delayed and so is the schedule. So the Helen Street Habitat "Blitz Build" is being pushed back from mid-July to Monday, August 18 through Saturday, August 23. That takes us closer to "Back to School/Off to College" time. Wilton schools start on Monday, August 25. But that's the hand we were dealt.

If there's a positive note here, it's that our intrepid Youth Mission crew, working this week in sunny Gulfport, Mississippi, will have six weeks to rest up and join us for Blitz Week.

So mark August 18-23 on your calendars. You can start getting back to me with your avails anytime.

Helen Street will be our first official "Green" project too. The construction style will be different and trend-setting for Habitat. The techniques and practices we implement on this home are likely to become standards for future Bridgeport area Habitat homes. Among other features, Helen Street have a south-facing roof covered with solar photovoltaic panels, courtesy of WCC's solar saint, Ron "The Juice Man" French. And the walls will be constructed of 2x6" studs instead of the usual two 2x4"s, allowing more insulation. The home will have a longer porch, lower roof overhangs and more. We'll list more details in upcoming emails.

The one thing we won't skimp on is all the love we build into every Habitat home.

In other Habitat news, we owe thanks to our great crew of Silver Lake volunteers. Braving a hot and sweaty Saturday in early June, they built the admin building steps, did more work on the ramp to the composting toilet, and tore down two old cabins, one with a great assist from gravity.

Led by our dynamic duo the co-captains of carpentry, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, the Wilton crew proved once again why we are one of the favorite groups to volunteer at Silver Lake Camp.

Rounding out the team on Saturday, June 7 were Peter Burger, Lance Lilquvist, Kevin Murray, Monique Kosar, Jim Lyle, assisted by Sound Coalition partner Dave Kingsbury and his sister (a one-time Silver Lake counselor) and WCC friends Kathleen Vereeken, Hal Clark, Paul Snayd, and Jeff Butler.

And this Saturday, June 28, Annie Lopez, our delightful homeowner at 1235 Kossuth, is throwing a "thank you" Celebration barbecue in honor of all the Sound Coalition members, Bridgeport firemen and Habitat staff who worked on her home. She has
even invited the homeowners from our previous Sound Coalition homes to join the festivities.

The event at Annie's home is from 3-7 pm. A few of us are attending, so let me know if you'd like to join us.

In closing don't forget to write the new Blitz Build dates (Aug. 18-23) on your calendars.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat. And say a prayer for the safe return from Gulfport of our 100+ Youth Mission trip heroes.

All the best, Jim

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May 29, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

We're a little more than a week away from setting the GPS units for Sharon, CT as we head north for another great day at UCC's Silver Lake Camp on Saturday, June 7.

First, however, thanks go to last Saturday's Habitat crew - Keith Shoemaker, Jim Meinhold, Gil Bray and Kathleen Vereeken - who joined some WHS students on the Williams Street townhouse rehab project.

For once brains and even lasers were the order of the day, as the group struggled to align base and top plates inside the century old brick exterior walls. The group consensus: the last time those walls were plumb, Benjamin Harrison was in the White House and Grover Cleveland was plotting his return.

At Silver Lake the lasers will stay in the toolbox. Our co-captains of carpentry, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, have laid out an ambitious day's work: finishing the front porch at the admin building and completing the ramp and railing to the camp's composting toilet.

Now that's what the "Construction" team will do. As for the rest of us on "Deconstruction" detail, we'll take down at least one and maybe two 1920s era cabins.

So check your calendars and let us know if you can join us for another day in bucolic Litchfield County. We'll follow the same schedule as last year and meet at WCC at 8 AM (PLEASE PARK IN OLD TOWN HALL LOT) and travel up in a car caravan. The camp's cook staff will serve another great lunch. We'll have lots of snacks and beverages during the day.

Weather permitting, a dip in Silver Lake might be a great way to end a hot and sweaty workday. Note that proper bathing attire is required. We don't want to scare the campers or the wildlife.

A few of you have already indicated you'll join us on June 7, but we need a lot more. Look at your calendars and let us know if you can come up for the day.

Finally, you've heard me extol the Habitat dividend of Wilton adults and teens sharing a good day of community giveback.

Last summer, prompted by an email outreach by Steve Bell, WCC teen member Brooke Flanagan contacted me about working the Blitz Build on Kossuth Street. She and her sister Lindsey joined me for a day and proved their ability at tackling hard work. I came away with a real appreciation of what great young people we have in the Flanagan sisters.

Yesterday Wilton women's lacrosse team took the FCIAC crown with a win over New Canaan. A star performer in that Warrior effort (three goals, one assist) was our very own Brooke Flanagan.

So as you plan for our Silver Lake workday, try to find a teen to bring along for the day. You never know when you might end up working with an exemplary Wilton teen like Brooke.

See you on June 7.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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May 23, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

A deluge of news forces a change in the format of this Habitat announcement. We'll temporarily depart from our usual long-winded, sometimes soporific, missive and get round down to business.

From the Habitat Desk: Our Saturday, May 24 workday is all set in terms of WCC volunteers. Habitat for Humanity CFC has asked us to limit our total number to 12 volunteers. Since we have a good turnout of high schoolers, many of whom are seniors reporting for their last Habitat workday, we don't need any more hands this Saturday.

From the Silver Lake Desk: We are set for a large contingent to travel to bucolic Sharon, CT on Saturday, June 7 for a full day of Construction/Deconstruction at Silver Lake Camp. Remember the porches at the Admin Building that weren't complete last year? Under the guidance of our two masters of woodworking, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, part of our team will tackle the completion of the porch.

Another team will work on the final touches to the ramps leading to the Big Blue Composting Machine (aka the environmentally friendly camp toilet). By the time we leave Big Blue should be ready for a season of campers to put it through its paces. Contributions from WCC volunteers will be welcome.

For those bent on deconstruction, we'll take down another cabin or two. And Brigitta has promised to rustle up another bat this year. You'll want to show up to see if she can keep her record intact.

From the Blitz Build Desk: Our Sound Coalition met two weeks ago to set the Blitz Build dates for our next project, the Big Green House Machine (note the color themes working here) on Helen Street, just a stone's throw from the old warehouse.

The Blitz Build is set to run the week of July 14-19, Monday through Saturday. Not only will this home be built with panels of 2 X 6 construction for extra insulation, the south facing roof of this home will be covered with solar panels to supply much of the home's electrical needs. This will be a real Green House Machine!

We'll observe green building standards too: minimizing excess material use, recycling as much as possible, and composing any uneaten donuts.

The roof panels for this home will be donated by Wilton Congregational's own solar saint, Ron French. Just as he recently donated panels for a portion of the high school roof, with the electrical cost savings recycled into a scholarship in memory of his dear wife, Sherry. Ron is giving these panels to Habitat at no charge for installation on this home. Can we find a better man anywhere than our Ron French?

More details will follow on Blitz Build week. But start warehousing those vacation days.

From the Trans-Fat Desk: At a recent Saturday morning opening, one of the guests was the Dunkin' Donut franchise owner for the immediate Bridgeport area. Not only did he bring tons of the sweet round treats our volunteers find so irresistible, he promised to provide donuts for every Saturday workday for the rest of the year. Just watch our volunteer numbers skyrocket!

From the Memorial Desk: As many of you know, Timothy "Timmer" Wood, a Wilton High graduate and Drum Hill resident, died on April 2 in a tragic accident, just 24 years into a life of promise and hope. His parents asked that donations be made in his memory to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. To date over $6,400.00 has arrived in his memory. One caller to Habitat even inquired as to how a home might be donated in his name. The sheer sadness of his loss has turned into an unexpected blessing at Habitat.

That's the all news. Check your calendars for the June 7 trip up to Silver Lake. And pencil in a few days for our Blitz Build in mid-July.

And thank you as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

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January 24, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

Do you believe we change lives with the homes we gift to our Habitat families?  Here's further proof. 

Below is the email I received from Habitat's wonderful family coordinator, Iris Taylor. At my request she called Annie (Antonia) Lopez to find out how the family enjoyed Christmas in their new home.

You can't make up wonderful outcomes like this: Every hour we spend in the scorching sun or the bitter cold is such a small sacrifice when measured by how much good we accomplish and how contagious our efforts become.

Our next Habitat workday is Saturday, February 9 when we'll join the WHS Habitat Club in a workday in Bridgeport.  Mark your calendars and let me know if you can join us. Email Jim Lyle for more information or to sign up.

Happy New Year and thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

Iris writes:

When I spoke with Antonia (Annie) she mentioned a few things that made her holidays special.  Her children thought that Santa was not coming this year because she had spent all the money on the house.   So they were ready to do without presents but they did have their own home so they were happy. 

But they were shocked to receive gifts after all.  Her daughter’s school knew that Antonia was buying her house and so they purchased gifts for Antonia to give her kids.  Her daughter doesn’t know that her school did this for them. They were also surprised when the wife of one of the fire fighters came to their new home with presents for Victor and Kaylynne.  Antonia thought that their home would be their Christmas gift but people in the community stepped up by making sure that Santa came with presents for the kids.

Jim, Antonia would like to extend an invitation to you and the Sound Coalition.  She wants to have something at her new home on Saturday, June 28th.  She is not sure exactly what time but feels that it should be in the early afternoon.  I will get back to you with the exact time when we get closer to the date.  I hope you will be able to make it on that Saturday. 

Take good care of yourself,

Iris

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Final Workday of 2007 - December 15, 2007

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

On Saturday, December 2, our latest Habitat home at 1235 Kossuth Street in Bridgeport was officially dedicated.

Thanks to the days so many of you worked during this summer's hot "Blitz Build" and the several Saturdays this Fall, Annie Lopez and her two children will awaken Christmas morning in their new home, starting their new lives as homeowners.

At the end of the dedication Annie surprised the Sound Coalition members with the gift of a plaque commemorating our work on her home. We'll have it on display at Wilton Congregational for the next few weeks.

Now one of the great joys of Habitat is working side-by-side with our "Wilton Swarm" partners, the Wilton High Habitat Club members led by our own Steve Bell.

As many of you are conversant in numbers and know a good growth story when you see one, look at the information below Steve sent me. Passionate math instructor that he is, Steve keeps careful records of the workdays the Club members accumulate during the year.

Just look at the increase in participation this past Fall. Now in its third year, the Habitat Club is clearly gathering momentum. In fact Steve has had to institute a cut-off date so the attendees don't overwhelm the transportation and workload capacities at Habitat.

This is another example of the way Habitat changes lives: our local high school students, our homeowners, and our own.

This coming Saturday, December 15, is our final workday of the year. Many of you have holiday obligations and that's understandable, but if you can join us, please do. A few of you have already indicated you'll be there.

Finally all the hard work many of you contributed to our Kossuth project is deeply appreciated.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat. May you and your families have wonderful holidays.

All the best, Jim

For more information about Habitat for Humanity or to join this week’s crew, please email Jim Lyle

Dear Jim, Thanks for complimenting the kids so nicely. Below is WHS Habitat Club attendance info that you asked for:
2005-2006 Work Date & Number of Kids	2006-2007 Work Date & Number of Kids	2007-2008 Work Date & Number of Kids
09/24 - 18 10/29 - 19 11/19 - 15 01/21 - 23 02/25 - 21 03/25 -0 9 04/22 - 15	09/23 - 21 10/28 - 11 11/18 - 17 12/09 - 20 03/24 - 27 04/28 - 13	09/29 - 34 10/27 - 24 11/17 - 31 12/15 - 02/09 - 03/29 -
2005-06 TOTAL - 120 student-days 49 different kids attending = avg of 2.44 workdays/kid	2006-07 TOTAL - 109 student-days 48 different kids attending = avg of 2.27 workdays/kid
(note: numbers do not include chaperones which I estimate to be about 7 adults per workday). Steve

November 19, 2007

Dear Fellow Habitaters- 

Saturday's final workday at 1235 Kossuth -- and 575 Gregory -- proved beyond a doubt that the Wilton Swarm has no equals among the volunteer groups at Bridgeport Habitat. A crew of 14 Wilton Congregational members and "friends" along with 34 Wilton High Habitat club members knocked off a week's assignments in a mere six hours. 

The day's most challenging problem was the logistics of getting so many WHS Habitat Club members up to Bridgeport for the day.  Now THAT's what you call a quality problem. 

At 1235 Kossuth, with the dedication of Annie Lopez' dream home just 14 days away, our crews tackled the front porch overhang, installed foam board under the first floor joists, spackled all the joints and nail holes in the house, removed rocks, debris and brush from the yard, added some much needed fill dirt in spots and looked on as our Monroe Congregational Coalition partners constructed a storage shed for Annie and her family.  

At 575 Gregory, where a dedication took place that day, the teams cleaned up the yard and got the house totally cleaned up and prepped in time for the afternoon ceremony.   

Thanks go to our beloved Captain of Carpentry Ian Tesar, Gil Bray, Ernie Krehbiel, Kevin Murray, Mike "The Manhattanite Who Enjoys the Drive to Bridgeport To Do Habitat" Rieser, Greg and Liza Rodiger, Jim Meinhold, Jim Lyle and great friends Evan Crane and Paul Snayd.  

Mid-morning we were joined by Wilton Selectman Hal Clark, who showed up with donuts and coffee.  Talk about your terrific political instincts! 

Over at 575 Gregory our intrepid Habitat Club leader, Steve Bell, was joined by Nancy Toll and those wonderful Habitat Club members.  

Mark your calendar for the dedication of 1235 Kossuth on Saturday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m.  All of you are invited to attend this most joyous occasion and feel free to bring a friend of family member. 

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Take pride in the fact that due to your volunteer efforts, Annie Lopez and her two children will celebrate this coming Christmas in their own home -- three lives changed forever. Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat. 

All the best, Jim

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November 14, 2007

Dear Fellow Habitaters,

While it's hard to believe this Saturday's Habitat workday will be our last one at Annie Lopez' dream home, that's what the Habitat staff is telling us.

The dedication is set for Saturday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m. and of course all of you are invited. Less than three weeks later, Annie and her children will move in, plenty of time for Christmas.

So this Saturday, November 17, will be the final stretch for the Wilton Swarm---interior painting, door and floor moldings, completion of the front porch and lots of yard work. There will be plenty of work to go around, with a task for every skill set. And of course we'll have Steve Bell and the Wilton High Habitat Club working alongside us.

Let's hear from you. We already have a good crew lining up. What could be better than to sit down at Thanksgiving dinner, knowing you'd help put the final touches on a home that will change a family's life forever?

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best, Jim

Email Jim Lyle for more information or to sign up.

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November 7, 2007

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

The postman has nothing on the Wilton Swarm when it comes to braving wind and rain!

Our teams of WCC volunteers and Wilton High Habitat Club members gave as good as any at TWO Habitat homes on a very windy and rainy Saturday, October 27.

WCC's Steve Bell led his WHS Club as they primed the entire interior at our Kossuth Street project house. Despite the wind-driven rain, five club members sloshed around in the yard and spread soil and moved rocks.

Meanwhile, a second WCC group ventured over to 575 Gregory Street for a three story attack on new home in a community west of the river and south of I-95 adjacent to the University of Bridgeport. There, a team led by our Other Captain of Carpentry, Dexter Below, installed luan flooring on the second floor. Giving him much needed help were Ernie Krehbiel, WCC friend Paul Snayd, Gil Bray and Jim Meinhold. (The latter two won their respective offices in Tuesday's election, proving once again there's something to the Habitat mystique!)

Downstairs Lance Liljeqvist led another team installing luan in the kitchen. Below them, in the crawl space, Keith Shoemaker, Ross Tartell, and Mike Tartell braved standing water and tight spaces to install insulation under the first floor joists. And out in the front yard a group of WHS students worked with me to clean up the front landscaping and remove debris.

Our Habitat Construction VP, Keith Cook, sent a congratulatory email the following Monday, saying "the Wilton Swarm did a great job...in unbearable weather."

Now we're just 10 days from heading back to Bridgeport for one of our last workdays on Annie Lopez' dream home on Kossuth.

Check your calendars and see if you can join us on Saturday, November 17. There will be lots of painting, woodwork, and more to get the home ready for a December move-in.

Let's hear from you before all the good jobs are taken. And thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best,

Jim

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