Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Week 22

Two first-time volunteers (Jane Lund and Mike Putnam) joined Mike C, Hans, Monica, Chris M, Non, Rae, Kathy S, Mike B, Alex, and Bonifacio homeowner Miriam as we got started Friday on several tasks. 

Because rain was forecasted for the afternoon, Mike had us start on the outside jobs first, the biggest of which was to weed the wonderfully BIG backyard for the third time since this rehab project began.  The rain and periodic sunny days over the last few months caused a new crop of weeds to sprout, and we wanted to make the yard presentable for the March 20 dedication and the family’s move-in shortly after.  The good news/bad news was that the ground was soft (easier pulling), but muddy (bad for boots and shoes).  Several of us chatted and laughed as we pulled and bagged the weeds, then shoveled and raked a pile of dirt over the yard to level out some low spots. 

Other projects completed by the end of the day were sheet rocking, mudding, and taping most of the rest of the garage; installing the trim board and latch on the front gate; sanding dry paint drips (from exterior painting) off the deck; power washing the lower walls of the house, the deck, driveway, and front walkway; sanding and caulking door trim around the kitchen/garage door; and dusting the lights, fans and other high surfaces (part of the final clean-up of the site for the dedication).  The forecasted rain never came, and the sun even broke through in time for lunch in the afternoon!

That morning before the workday even began, the owner of BAJA Plumbing in Antioch drove by on his way to a job in the area and stopped to see if there was anything he could do to help!  Upon learning we had a blocked drain in the bathroom, Noe Iniquez offered to bring his crew back later that day to clear it… and he did!  One of his men snaked both the sink and the tub to be sure they drained properly.  Thank you, Noe!

We also had a few HEB visitors Friday!  Sue Howell, Donor Development Officer and WC member, and Jen Golike, Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator, came by to scout out the site for the March 20 Dedication of the house.  Andrew Goldsworthy, Development and Marketing Manager, and videographer volunteer Mike Connell came to take some photos and video of work being done and to do a couple of video interviews.  They talked with Monica and Kathy about the Women’s Crew, their work on this and other projects, and what people “get” out of volunteering as a group with Habitat.  Andrew and Mike are working on a video that can be shown to community and faith-based groups to encourage them to volunteer as a group on HEB projects or even sponsor one, as the WC has sponsored this house.

Saturday’s schedule included another big project and finishing touches on a few smaller ones, but the day started with a lively discussion about the stain to be used on the deck.  Mike C was outnumbered by the day’s volunteers, Diane, Julita, Lisa G, Non, KO, and Kathy, all WC members who agreed that the planned redwood stain was too orange.  They even felt strongly enough about it to chip in to buy two gallons of a better color!  Diane and Julita went to Home Depot and chose a translucent protective stain in dark brown, which they felt would look better with the yellow and white exterior paint on the house.  There were a few anxious moments after the first few strokes of the roller turned the deck a purplish maroon color.  The can was double-checked… it said “brown”… so they continued applying it.  Sure enough, it turned brown as it dried, and looked great!  A brush or two was ruined as the stain was pushed into the cracks between the boards, staining the top side edges there, but the finished product was worth it!  The tree-trunk table top on the deck and the cover for the crawl space were stained to match, using up the two gallons completely!

Other projects completed on Saturday were connecting the hydraulic screen door closer at the front door; painting kitchen door trim and the new texture on the kitchen ceiling and wall (covering the scar from a removed wall); putting a second coat on the multi-media cabinet trim in the garage; labeling the circuit breakers; and touching up trim inside and out, as well as the exterior yellow paint.  It was a shorter day than usual, but we got a lot done!

Check out photos of this weekend’s work, as well as the work since the fall of 2009.  They are posted chronologically, so scroll down to the bottom to see the most recent ones. “Before” photos and those of our earlier work on this project are here. 

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