Habitat for Humanities Red Deer 2007 Build Project Volunteers NEEDED Immediately

The Central Alberta Branch of APEGGA would like to provide volunteer support to Habitat for Humanity’s 2007 build project. Habitat for Humanities has kicked off the construction of a house located at 15 Vanier Drive, Red Deer.  The concrete foundation has been poured and they will be proceeding with erection of the house.  At the end of this note is some background information on Habitat for Humanity and the link to their website.

Below is the sequence of construction activities and the jobs that need volunteers.  At this time, there is an immediate need for volunteers to erect the house frame and close the structure before winter sets in.  The hope is to have the house completed by Christmas for the family to move in, but some of the last jobs may not be completed until spring time.

Volunteers are needed for 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, but there are volunteer opportunities for evenings and on Saturdays.  This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for any APEGGA member to participate and/or form a team of co-workers to go for one day.  Volunteers are needed immediately, so the close up of the house can be completed before winter sets in.  Please contact Morris Sych, P.Eng. (403-314-4560) (morris.sych@innovene.com) providing contact info, dates available and whether there is a specific job that you would like to volunteer for.  I know that we should be able to pull together at least one team of six plus members to volunteer for this very worthy project.  Once a team has been formed, Morris will get back to you with the specific details/timing for the volunteer day. 

Required safety equipment is hardhat, steel toe boots, safety glasses and gloves.  Bring your tool belt, hammer, tape measure, pencil and other small tools that you would normally use for this kind of construction.

Each construction activity is lead by a volunteer tradesperson that has been assigned a specific task from this list:

1. Erect pony walls (walls are prefab’d)
2. Install floor joist and sheath floor
3. Install exterior walls (walls are prefab’d)
4. Construct and install interior walls
5. Install rafters and roof sheathing
6. Install windows and doors
7. Shingle roof (will probably be completed by a contractor)
8. Rough in plumbing (to be completed by a volunteer contractor)
9. Rough in electrical (to be completed by a volunteer contractor)
10. Install duct work and furnace (will probably be completed by a contractor)
11. Install vacuum system (to be completed by a volunteer contractor)
12. Install insulation and vapour barrier
13. Install drywall & tape (will probably be completed by a volunteer contractor, with volunteer support)
14. Install wood trim
15. Paint
16. Install cabinets
17. Install tile and carpets (will probably be completed by a contractor)
18. Install plumbing fixtures
19. Install electrical fixtures
20. Install sidewalks, steps and parking pad
21. Install Tyvek wrap
22. Install vinyl siding and trim
23. Install eavetroughs
24. Construct deck
25. Construct fence
26. Landscape

Background info

The Habitat for Humanity - Red Deer Affiliate was founded in 1994 and subsequently built its first two homes in Delburne, followed by a period of inactivity from 1996 to 1998. From 1998 to 2005, the affiliate saw a period of steady growth, with the building of 9 more homes, and the opening of the Restore.

Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit Christian housing program dedicated to the elimination of substandard and poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. Homeowners contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the construction of their own homes and then repay a long-term, interest-free mortgage. Mortgage costs are kept low because of volunteer labour and generous donations of funds and building materials.

HABITAT'S MISSION:

To provide simple, decent, affordable housing to those who would not qualify nor be able to afford a conventional mortgage. But, our job does not stop there. We work with the families to help them become successful homeowners in whatever way is appropriate for them.  See their website for further details www.habitatforhumanityreddeer.com.