ASP Day 1

Initially we had been informed that our teams main job would be flooring. However when we arrived at the ASP center we were told that we would be painting the first day. Throughout that day, we painted the ceiling, repainted the entire room, sanded the framing around the window and door, and painted those as well. We also took measurements of the room we would be flooring the next day. Overall the group worked efficiently and kept a positive attitude throughout the day.

My Crew is Paul G, Billy G, Juliana, Scott D, Matt S, and Billy F.

My name is Lila, and I am an ASP volunteer. I am on Midnight Flyer, with Holly, Betsy, Michelle, Rob C and John A. On our site, we’re working on flooring, plumbing  and painting. Today we sanded down the walls and got started on painting. We also gently removed the kitchen flooring and the bathroom tiling. After a hearty lunch of PB&J and bananas (which I didn’t peel correctly apparently) we hung out with our family and got to know them better. We had fun singing country music courtesy of Michelle’s iPhone. We still have to finish the painting, finish gently removing the flooring of the bathroom, and finish flooring in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It’ll be a busy week!

Sent from my iPhone

Hi.  We are leaving today.  Hope you have a great day.  We will be posting again after we arrive and have our first work day.  Thanks for being here.  Come back Tuesday to see what we are doing.

:)

Thursday July 12, 2018

Buttered Yam -- Week 5

Our home consists of grandparents, their son, grandkids and foster children.  We put up siding and soffit, insulation, drywall and installed a door on their home addition.  As the college crew, we were able to split up into smaller teams to effectively tackle our assigned tasks for the week.  Billy (father) often checked on us and opened up to us about how thankful he was for our help and stressed that the world needs more people like us and that we are a blessing to him and his family, which really touched ne.  As a seventh year ASP volunteer, this was one of my best experiences.  I was able to establish a strong relationship with Billy that will last a lifetime.

Billy Gitler

WEDNESDAY July 11, 2018

As a third year ASP participant, I was extremely excited to come to Scott County, TN.  This year I am luckily on a double crew, Sharp Cheddar 1 and 2.  The more people, the more fun!  On m crew, I have Bill and Joel as awesome crew leaders, as well as Mallory Devine, Fiona, Josh, Micheal and myself, Jenna Costantino.  Our projects include siding, building the bathroom and other construction around the house.  We just finished day three and left the worksite feeling proud of what we've gotten done so far.  I feel very blessed to have such a hard working fun and light hearted crew.  At the end of each work day of course I feel exhausted, but I always leave with a smile on my face.  I can't wait to see our finished projects at the end of the week!
Jenna Costantino

TUESDAY July 10, 2018

Habenero Chile staring: Paul G, Laura Still, Matt D, Mike S, Katy T, Betsy F and Kevin R.

Hello everyone at home!  I hope you're having a great week because we sure are.  Our crew in the time we have been here has been able to bond amazingly.  Our project though fun has offered us some surprise plumbing and drywall.  We've been spending lots of time chilling under the house measuring pipes and even more playing with the adorable puppy (Bash), the kittens, and our super fun home owners.  So far it's shaping up to be a great week. Katy T.

MONDAY July 9, 2018

Tangelo 2 staring Jill, Dwight, Owen, Connor, Kayla, Natalie, and Nicole

We have the pleasure of working on 2 bedrooms of a wonderful couple!  Today we started by sanding the spackle that was put on last week by the previous group.  After the sanding was cleaned up (off the floors and the kids!) a second coat of spackle' - a thin coat - was applied to the walls.  We cleaned up the spackle mess and headed back to the center hot and tired, but so glad we had such a productive first day!

Friday

Fridays on ASP usually mean one of two things.  Either you are rushing to finish your repair job or you are trying to find something to do until 4:30.  I guess you could say we fell into the latter category.  Well, except we really didn't need to try and find something to do.  Our homeowner had us covered.  Our homeowner was the sweetest, most hospitable woman in all of West Virginia.  Every day she made us a plate of brownies and something for lunch:  grilled cheese, pizza, hot dogs, macaroni salad.  Today it was brown beans and cornbread.  By 1:00 we had finished insulating (or installating: it's an inside joke we had) the span of the entire house.  Technically that was our job assignment for the week and we got it done.  But really, the week was about spending time with Irene and her husband Jerry, a soft spoken man who loved his word puzzles.  Oh, and their cats: five of them, the cutest little fur-balls.

Every morning she met us on her new (ASP) porch and made sure we had everything we needed for the day.  ;We would work hard for a few hours until Miss Irene forced us to take a break for lunch.  Again, this was a lunch that she prepared especially for us.  After lunch we would spend a good amount of time chatting with her and playing with the kittens.  Eventually we would mosey back and get a few more hours of work done before Quitting time.

I have to make it clear though, that although we took time to get to know her our crew workid incredibly hard.  We all had to conquer our fear of spiders by going under the house and swimming through cobwebs.  We all took turns with the spider stick (patent pending) to clear out the nooks and crannies of the crawl space and each of us built up our grip strength by stapling up sheet after sheet of insulation.  Its was a dirty and muddy job but I never heard one word of complaint from any of our youth volunteers.  I couldn't be more proud of any one of them.  As a group leader it is such a pleasure to have youth really give it their all.

Juliana "J-Dizzle" Powers, JT "the Hammer" Gindler, Matt "the Muscle" DiPierro, and Mallory "Marshmellow" Devine were a perfect combination for a perfect week. Matt Crawford, and Bill Dettelback for Team Olaf.  ASP 2017 Greenbriar county WV.

Nemo

This week we have been putting up sheet rock and spackling on project Nemo.  Not only did our group leaders take a bunch of high school and college kinds and teach them how to put up walls for the interior frame of a home, but we learned a lot from our homeowners as well.  

Aside from all the drills and spackle, the woman we were helping taught us what it means to have hope and faith.  She had everything taken away from her in the flood that swept through Rainelle, yet she welcomed a bunch of strangers into her home and heart as if we were her own family.  

Her strengths and trust in us and God has been an inspiration to me and the rest of our crew.  The whole ASP experience has taught me the importance of family and community by the way a diverse group of people have been able to work together to help those who truly need it.

- Anne Vrubliauskas

Team Nemo:  Dan, Anthony, Emily, Christine, Michelle, Simon, Anne.

Dot

Our crew name is Dot.  The members of our crew are Lee Goodson, Sarah Ellis, Rick Shea, Tom Shea, Rachel Schafer, and Kevin Reynolds.  We started out our week working on a new build for a coal miner.  We began with the deck and railings in the front of the house. When we finished at that house we moved to another new build. The homeowner of the second house is the electrician for ASP whose wife has MS. At this house we framed a Cathedral ceiling.

Tonight we had the picnic where lots of families came to enjoy the evening. Lots of hot dogs and hamburgers were eaten followed up by some dessert. There are plenty of games like cornhole and big jenga. Also many of the people here like to enjoy some ultimate frisbee. As a first year for ASP I learned many new things on rebuilding and restoring new homes. It was also very eye opening for me seeing how rebuilding Rainelle gave so much hope in the citizens of Rainelle. This was a great experience for me and all the other first timers so I can't wait to make another trip again next year.  

                                            Kevin Reynolds

Kachow!

Our team name is Lightening McQueen, (kachow!!) and our task is to install hardwood flooring in two newly built houses.  These two beautiful houses are being built down the street from each other.  We worked on the first house Monday and Tuesday. This house is being built for a woman who lost her entire house in the flood last year. Our crew had a short conversation with her Tuesday and she expressed extreme gratitude for our work on the house!

Today the Lightening McQueen crew worked as a great team on the second house and finished the flooring on three rooms and the kitchen space! The new house looks really put together and the team was very satisfied after a long day of work.  You could say we felt it was the "Best Day Ever"!  We all worked great together and are excited to hopefully finish up the first house so she has a new safe, dry and warm place to live.

Zoe and Emily

The team: Emily DeMouth, Liam Quinn, Zoe Peloso, Corey Downey, Tabi Dettleback Dave DiPerro, Laura Goodson

The "Remy" crew

The "Remy" crew is almost finished with the railing for a ramp.  Our homeowner made this rainey Tuesday down pour a little more welcoming with some homemade stew and cornbread, as well as some ice cream and yellow cake after.  It feld a little bad leaving early due to the rain and thunder, but knowing we'll finish the railing by tomorrow makes up for it, as well as the look on the homeowner's face when she saw our progress.

Adam Timari.

Our team is: Mickey, John O., Brandon, Tim, James, Martin and Adam.

Hello all!!

Hello all!  My name is Katy Timar on team Wheezy (after the toy story character.)  This week my crew is working on a new build which means the original home was unlivable so we are creating a completely new home.  The other groups before us gave us a solid start, so my crew is working from the frame of the house, we are helping frame the interior walls and finishing a front porch.  This house has been a really interesting challenge because it is raised about 10 to 15 feet in the air, so getting inside the home means running up the ramp.  This trip has been really interesting for me because I have been able to use skills from my first trip where we built a deck and have gotten to learn the new skill of interior framing.  My crew of John C., Jill D., Mike and Bernie B and Laura H. has been spectacular.  In this year of ASP I have really gotten to feel the community of all of the participants.  Happy Independence Day!  And if your wondering, my brother and I didn't both coose this day on purpose, it was a happy accident.  #TimariTuesday

Katy Timari

Monday July 3, day one at walle (Molly) working with Keith, Melissa, Jamie, Molly Betsy, Melissa
 
Upon arriving at the project I noticed immediately that for this family, this is normal. The cluttered yard, the damaged toys, the chained dog. The kids do not see anything wrong with the way they live, and finding it in myself to not judge was the hardest part so far. But, we started working and I quickly realized how grateful they were. The oldest son wanted to make sure everything was done right, I figured because this was his home. He wanted everything to be perfect for his sisters new room. It surprised me to see how they played as we worked. The youngest daughter found rocks and flowers and thought they were the most fun toys. They boy found a frog and played with it for hours. They have very little, and appreciate everything they have. That touched me, because I realize I have so much and treat it all as tangible, replaceable items. They do not. I am touched by this, and cannot wait to see them again and continue our project 

By Molly. 

Sent from my iPhone

Monday July 3, Day 1 at Dug

Since it is the first day, we are just beginning our project! To start off, I want to talk a little about our journey getting here. I personally went with Dave and lets just say the man is awesome. Not only did he deal with a whole car full of girls, but he was so flexible on where we wanted to eat and was just a pleasure to drive with. Even though we have only been together for a matter of about 3 days, I just feel a sense of family. I have made so many new friends and have been developing friendships with people from different towns and of all different ages, it feels like I have known them for years! At our work site that is a newly constructed home, we will be working on hardwood floors. Even though we personally don't have a family, I am touched that I am helping someone get back to living after the flood. I can not wait for end of the week when it is all done! 

Sent from my iPhone

Natalie Devine

Team Dug: Paul, Rebecca, Ben, Natalie, Jenna and Keenan

Technical Difficulties "Please stand by"

We are having a few technical difficulties publishing the blog.  We will publish as much and as often as we can. . .

Miso Paste

This ASP was one to remember.  We helped a close knit family that was in need. 


Travis is her son.  He is forty-three years old and has a mental disability.  Karen has the house in a disabled trust that gives the house to an organization so that Travis could live at home and have someone take care of him. 

This I thought was awesome that Travis could stay in his home, and this motivated me to make this house as liveable and safe as possible.  ,

On our first day we began really tearing up the floor and found a "God is Greater than you" license plate and we thought nothing of it and tossed it to the side.  Later Big Doug asked Karen if it was hers and she told us it was her Mom's, who passed away a year ago.  She said she used to have it on her car, but when she quit driving, she took it off  Karen had been looking for that licene plate ever since her mom died.  This brought Karen to tears.  We gave her more that just a floor, we gave her a peice of her mom that she will have for the rest of her life.

Miso Paste

This ASP was one to remember.  We helped a close knit family that was in need. 


Travis is her son.  He is forty-three years old and has a mental disability.  Karen has the house in a disabled trust that gives the house to an organization so that Travis could live at home and have someone take care of him. 

This I thought was awesome that Travis could stay in his home, and this motivated me to make this house as liveable and safe as possible.  ,

On our first day we began really tearing up the floor and found a "God is Greater than you" license plate and we thought nothing of it and tossed it to the side.  Later Big Doug asked Karen if it was hers and she told us it was her Mom's, who passed away a year ago.  She said she used to have it on her car, but when she quit driving, she took it off  Karen had been looking for that licene plate ever since her mom died.  This brought Karen to tears.  We gave her more that just a floor, we gave her a peice of her mom that she will have for the rest of her life.

The Funions and the Devil Dogs, also known as Sunflower Seed Butter 1 and Sunflower Seed Butter 2 were lucky enough to be double crewed on a double trailer site. The Funions crew members include Lori Bowers, John Casale, Laura Heath, Adam Timari, Brandon Blyk, and myself Jenna Costantino. As for the awesome Devil Dogs their crew members are Laura Goodson, John Almindinger, Juliana Powers, Danielle Lorah, Noah Smyth, and Scott DeMouth. 

On the double trailer site both groups worked together to "hug the house." Meaning, we used flashing and foam boards to prepare the house to be sided after we gave the house more support by putting in many 2 by 4's. 

Personally, I love being double crewed and working with more people because it adds to the idea of becoming a family and working together for someone else. Thanks to the helpful and funny adult leaders of the groups, I felt very confident in what I was doing while also having a lot of fun. 

On Tuesday June 5th, a man stopped by our work site while we were taking our lunch break to thank us for being apart of ASP and helping out the home owner. As he was thanking us he shared how faithful he is and stories where the lord answered his prayers. His experiences had an effect on me and made me realize that if you walk in faith, God will always be there for you. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to join ASP and work with such a grateful and loving group of people. I can't wait to be back next year!

- Jenna Costantino

Wakame 3

This is my fourth summer of ASP & this is by far my favorite family. My previous homeowners were all very nice, but I never seemed to make that connection that I heard others talk about in relating family stories.  Our family this year is very unique. The parents Rich & Reesa have adopted 11 children. The range in age from 11 to young adult. Many have some special needs. Three of the sons, who are older teenagers, have been helping our crew this week. Riku, Isaac & Eli expressed to us that if people like us can volunteer & give their time to help their family, they couldn't just sit by and watch us work without also pitching in. So the three of them, plus two of their younger sisters Alex & Emma, became part of our crew with Chris A., Taylor G., Mike P., Tim G., & Emily B.

Last year they moved into the house we are repairing. It is a 3 story house that was previously an apartment building. Other crews were working on siding & finishing a newly constructed room in the lower level. Our job was to address the runoff problem that caused serious erosion that threatened their foundation & also was allowing water to enter their home.  We are finishing a multi-tier retaining wall that feeds into the drainage ditch we dug on Monday. Since it rained hard last night, Rich was able to tell us that the work we already did, helped & only a small amount of water entered their home.

The work we are doing isn't the most glamorous work or even requires much skill or fancy tools to accomplish. It entails digging dirt & breaking up rocks. We moved large amounts of stones. We worked in muddy conditions that caked our boots with muck.  When we were tired, you would see Riku or Isaac or Eli jump up & grab a shovel or a pile of lumber & you knew you could keep going. You wanted to make it right for their family!

Reesa told us a story about the many different rocks that were piled up around her house. She said when her kids were little, they would give her a rock & put it in her hand and she would keep them because to her they weren't rocks, but each rock represented a prayer. Reesa has had a tough life and willingly and lovingly accepted much more than any person should have to in a life. It is a pleasure and a privilege to get to know her & her family this week.  They will remain a part of me long after we leave.

Melissa Bellamy

Wakame 3