|  Day
Five – Friday, June 9, 2006
The air is cool, but hearts are warm - Today
Habitat for Humanity 2006 Builder’s
Blitz comes to a close. For all intents
and purposes homes are complete by early
morning! Our crew handles finishing touches;
hanging mirrors and towel bars; touching
up paint; installing blinds. Outside, the
good people of Seasonal Services lay sod
and plant bushes – they are doing
a fabulous job on landscaping. About noon,
Shenita Horton’s new home at 2555
N. 33rd Street, receives a hearty “thumbs
up” on its final inspection. Shortly
after, Beautiful Cleaning arrives for final
cleanup…. these homes will be spanking
clean when families and friends tour them
after the closing ceremony.
The neighborhood
hums with activity. Being the last day of
the Blitz, TV cameras, anchormen and women
roam the streets stopping now and then to
speak to workers and homeowners. Milwaukee
is fortunate to be one of two cities nationwide
visited by Habitat International’s
CEO, Jonathan Reckford. Jonathan stops in
front of Shenita’s new home and Tom
and I have the opportunity to spend a few
minutes speaking with him. He expresses
sincere gratitude for all the hard work
that has made this worthy project possible.
We hear Jonathon again after enjoying a
great lunch donated by The Olive Garden.
He addresses the crowd. A gentle man with
evident passion for his work, we are touched
and inspired by his words; as are many.
Landscaping finished,
we gather the Carmel Crew, along with Shenita
and Tamanga, for a photo shoot on the front
porch. Say Cheese! Eliciting smiles for
this picture is no problem….grins
are abundant everywhere.
I
head back to the office, download photos,
and meet my sister, Bette, brother-in-law,
Ray and friend/musician, Sergio. Along with
me, they will contribute to tonight’s
festivities with music prior to the closing
ceremony. About 3:45 p.m. we arrive at the
staging area in Master Lock’s parking
lot. With the sunshine gone, it’s
chilly and rain threatens so the event is
moved inside the tent. No threat of rain
dampens spirits and by 5:00 p.m. workers
and homeowners with happy faces begin to
congregate; at 5:30 music begins. Singing
upfront with our group “Scotch and
Soda”, I see Shenita and her family
in the crowd, obviously enjoying themselves.
We make eye contact and share smiles. Mike
Anderson of WTMJ 4 kicks off the ceremony
telling us he is happy to report good news
for a change! Milwaukee Habitat and MBA
executive directors along with other key
players in this momentous event, share their
stories of inspiration. One by one, contractors
with homeowners are called up to receive
framed photos of the homes and beautiful
plaques commemorating participation in the
project. Finally, homeowners are presented
with a bible and the keys to their new homes!
Milwaukee Common Council President, Willy
Hines, and Mayor, Tom Barrett, are among
the last to step up to the podium. The Mayor
zealously states, “You are not only
building homes, but building hope”!
How true! The Metcalfe Park neighborhood
has seen an incredible transformation this
week! Fittingly, the celebration ends with
an invocation, asking God’s blessing
on the new homeowners and their homes. Uplifted,
the crowd disperses. Proud homeowners hurry
family and friends down streets; anxious
to show off their new homes. We meet Shenita’s
family and her charming and very polite
sons, Christopher and Javon who are thrilled
with the house.
We recall our first meeting with the MBA
and Milwaukee Habitat nearly a year ago
asking for help with the 2006 Builders Blitz.
To say we are glad we said yes…is
truly an understatement! Tired but happy,
we head for home
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