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NAHB Grant Helps Illinois Builders House Katrina Victim
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Volunteer home building professionals with Sedonia Watts and Rev. Jim Cagle in Watts' house during week two of the project. | Ninety one-year-old Sedonia Watts had watched the tree next to her Columbia, Miss., home grow since it was a “a little switch.” But when it ripped a gaping ceiling-to-foundation hole through her bedroom wall during Hurricane Katrina, it left her homeless.
Watts had to leave her lifelong home, friends and community, and for more than two years, she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to return.
Then the SouthWest Suburban Home Builders Association in Illinois got involved.
Many of the HBA’s members belong to the Orland Park Church in Orland Park, Ill., a partner with the Christian Reformed World Relief organization to rebuild communities after a disaster.
Through the church, the HBA members had helped fund and build a home for a displaced Katrina family in 2007. But because of the housing market downturn, they had difficulty getting enough cash donations to build a home this year for Watts.
So, the HBA applied for and received a $15,000 grant from the NAHB Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund (HBIDRF) to help purchase building materials to build Watts a new home.
“This year, it was easier for members to volunteer their time to work on the project, but we needed help with the money,” said Len Kamp, of Kamp Builders in Orland Park, who was one of the coordinators of the project. “We were extremely happy and thankful for the grant from NAHB.”
On Jan. 28, members of the HBA and volunteers from the church and Will-Grundy Home Builders & Associates headed to Mississippi to build Watt’s new home in four week-long shifts.
“We were amazed at how many church members were willing to donate their time,” said Cindy Vander Laan, of Orland Park Church. Like many of the HBA volunteers, many of the project’s volunteers owned their own business.
A Life Returned in Four Weeks
When the project was completed, Watts was handed the keys to her new 800-square-foot, two-bedroom home — built on the same property she’d left.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Kamp said. “And I know firsthand that the money was well spent.” Either Kamp, or his brothers Dave and Kevin, worked on the home three out of the four weeks.
“The home building industry is proud to support the great volunteer efforts led by Illinois builders,” said Bobby Rayburn, a home builder from Jackson, Miss. and 2004 NAHB president, who heads up NAHB’s disaster relief efforts. “The grant helped them continue their work, and reinforces the idea that builders build more than just houses. They build community.”
NAHB Disaster Relief Fund
NAHB’s Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund, a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization, helps residents affected by disaster and works with associations with disaster recovery and public relations assistance.
To make a donation to NAHB’s Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund, which directs contributions made to the fund to recognized charities that are helping with shelter, healthcare and education, click here.
For more information on the NAHB fund, e-mail Jessica Lynch at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8401.
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SouthWest Suburban HBA member Len Kamp (top row, far right) with volunteers in front of Watts' completed home in Columbia, Miss. |
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