The Work Project

Here are some links to 360 pics of the work project both before and after. Your computer must be Java enabled. Then just click on the link. In the box there is a pull down menu that you can click on and choose the "before" picture and then the "after" picture. Use your mouse and scroll to get a 360 view.

http://bburiff.com/tour/2010PineRidgeWorkcamp/index.html

Wooooo Hoooooooooo!!!!

God never fails to provide - and he uses everyday people like us to make it happen. Amazing. Today we received a donation of poles for the amphitheater worth $700!!!

And ...

A ONE THOUSAND dollar cash donation!

This came from people who do not even attend either of the churches that are doing the project. Crazy. Amazing. Awesome!

So, we're a little more than half way there! We have a Cornhole Tournament on April 17th to raise other needed funds for this project. The cost is just $20 and includes lunch. Don't miss out on being a part of this project. See Jeff Smith, Brian Whitlock, Fred Howell or Darrell H from the Hamilton church to sign up.



Fundraising
progress thermometers
to track the success of your fundraising ideas

The 2010 Work Project

The work project this year is one that is very vital to the well-being of the Pass Creek Church of God in Allen. There is a giant "hole" in the ground that has been caused by erosion. The problem is - it keeps eroding more and more each year and its very close to the church building. If this isn't addressed this year, it could very well cause major damage to the building.

The good news is that it is close to the building and it is in the shape of a horseshoe and is in fact a sort of natural amphitheater with one end deep and one end level with the bottom of a hill. Not sure if that makes any sense or not, but maybe the pics will show it better.

A few years ago one of our team members (Fred) had a dream to make that hole into a real amphitheater - a nice one with a cement floor and seating - something that could be used as a multi-purpose meeting place for the church. This would also be a great place for VBS since it can be difficult to fit all of the children who come to VBS in the summer into the sanctuary. Last year there was a record 143 children who came to VBS on just one day!

Fred has estimated the cost of getting this project underway at $4,500.00. We currently have $1,692.62 toward the project. Be looking for a cornhole tourney to raise more money for the project this spring!

This pic shows how close the hole is to the church

The Amphitheater

We hope that next year's work project will be to begin building an amphitheater on the mission grounds. This has been a dream on Barry and Shelly's wish list for a while and Fred really has it on his heart to see it begin next summer. I don't have a good picture of it, but hopefully you were at church yesterday and saw the pics - they are still on display in the narthex. There is a huge "hole" that has eroded into the ground next to the church. It has been there for years and is not only an eyesore but it is also a safety hazard when the kids come to VBS.

BUT ...

it like a lot of things we consider a problem, it has some great possibilities....

One end of the "hole" sits pretty much even with the ground making it a perfect shape for an amphitheater. If we can excavate some of the remaining dirt and rock, pour a cement floor and lay in some rail road ties for seating this "problem" can become a huge asset. It would serve so many purposes .... it could be a GREAT place to have all of the kids gather for music or lessons for VBS. As it stands the sanctuary is really not large enough to hold all of the kids when they are there. It could also be used by the community of Allen for any number of events, thus giving the church there another way to reach out to the community. We hope to build it in such a way that it will last a long time and other things might even be able to be added on to it in the future (think roof, maybe even a new sanctuary someday).

Fred tells me it will take about $4500 to get it started this year. This year we will not be able to get the seating in but we hope to get the excavating done and pour the cement flooring. I think the plan is also to run some electrical line so that electricity will be available out there too.

We are excited about the possibilities for this! I'm adding a thermometer to show how we are doing with the fundraising for the project. Check back here to the blog from time to time to read updates and follow what's going on!

*Thanks to all who bought the card shop goodies yesterday. We made our first $130 from it. The items will still be available as long as they last.

Got Paper?

Starting SOON - maybe even this Sunday, we will be having Wrapping Paper, Candles, Stuffed Animals ... and other items available for a donation to our work project at Pine Ridge next year.

All items have been donated by friends of Tim and Debbie who own a card shop. All items are brand new. We will have a table in the hallway set up to display the items and a Pine Ridge team member at the table to receive your donation.

All money raised will go toward building the amphitheater on the mission grounds.

(for those not familiar - there is a big hole in the ground next to the church building that has become a safety hazard to the children and if it continues to erode may eventually damage the church building. We have plans to transform it into an amphitheater in order to do away with the safety hazard and also create a place that will safely hold all 150+ children who attend VBS each summer.) This is a much needed project that will probably take 2 years to complete. This year we need to raise $4,500 for the project. )

First Blood

Monday evening Bob and Pat delivered the exterior door, a frame for it, and a storm door! Tuesday my dad (Cliff) came over to put the frame together and hang the door so it's ready when we get there. That is a HUGE help since we're really limited on time after we get there. So, Melda's project has officially begun! My dad is battling cancer and all the wonderful side-effects of chemo so he's not able to go with us this year but he got the honor of drawing "first blood" on the project when he cut his hand. There are 14 of us going to the Rez, and 13 of us working on the project (Whitlock is the cook and will be on overtime cooking for the crew, the kids, and whoever else shows up to eat) but there are SO many other folks who are a part of it in one way or another.

Updated Materials List

In case anyone is insterested in what we have for Melda's. Here is an updated list of what we already have.


Assorted Nails
Assorted 16 Penny Nails
Assorted Beige siding / Corner / J-Channels / Starter Strips
3 Bags 80 lb. Quikrete
2, 45.5" x 45.5" windows
3, 4' x 8' x 1/2" obs plywood - T/G - blue edged
2, 4' x 22.5" -x 1/2" obs plywood - T/G - blue edged
16, 4' x 8' x 3/8" obs plywood - blue edged
14, 4'x8' interior wall paneling (white)
5, 4'x12' x 1/2" Drywall
10, 9'x16' x 1-1/2" planks
6, 4'x8'x3/4" Plywood (traditional)
11, 4'x8'x3/8" obs plywood - yellow edged
65 (est?), 2"x4" studs
4, 4"x4"x10' posts
10, 2"x4"x12'
1 roll tar paper / roof felt
12 bundles shingles
6, 8' base-board moldign
1, 1 Gallon Self-Stick Tile Primer
5 boxes of 12"x12" vinyl floor tle (45 tiles/box)
1, ceiling light (3 bulb fixture)
1, 5 gallon bucket of Interior Latex Semi-Gloss paint
1, large bucket Sheet Rock Joint compound
Assorted Roofing Felt nails
Assorted Shingle Nails
16 joist hangars
10, 10" galvanized bolts with nuts

More Materials for Melda's

Jerry, Cliff, and myself went to Lowes today to get paneling, OSB board, and some sizing for the flooring. The paneling cost a bit more than I had planned but seems like a much better material. Thankfully, we have received a lot of donations! We'll need 'em!

Updated List of Materials Needed for Melda's Kitchen

Here is an updated list. We may add to it as we think of things we've overlooked.

UPDATED: May 21, 2009

Lumber:
2) 2” by 12” x 12’ treated boards for decking beam
Misc treated wood for stairs
1. 1 - 2” by 12” x 12’ for stringers
2. 2 – 2” by 6” x 10’
12) 4’by 8’ T11 siding boards – Vinyl Siding Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
14) 4’ by 8’ Light color Paneling (interior walls)
52 ft of fascia board

Overhang Soffit:
70’ of vinyl soffit – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
70‘of F channel - (we may have this too - I'm not sure what all of the stuff in my garage is for)

Roofing:
4) Square equivalent of metal roofing or 4) Square of shingles (12 Bundles) – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
320 sq/ft of tar paper for roofing – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
20’ roof flashing – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.

Dry wall:
6) 4’ by 8’ drywall boards or 4) 4’ by 12’ boards - purchased May 9, 2009
1) 5 gal. buckets drywall compound – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services Inc.
1) 5 gal. bucket drywall topping- Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
Roll of dry wall tape

Hardware:
Nails (framing, finish, paneling) - Have a 5 gallon bucket of roofing nails donated by Charles Fraizer & a 1 gallon can of framing nails donated by Ameridian Speciality Services

5 lb drywall screws
10) 3\8” x 7” carriage bolts w/ washers and nut - (we may have this too from Ameridian - I'm not sure what the big bolts they gave us are)

Insulation:
350 sq/ft of insulation for walls (16” width between studs)
200 sq/ft of insulation for ceiling (24” width between rafters)

Paint:
3 gal. for interior walls and ceiling – 5 Gallon donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.

Doors:
Pre-hung Steel Exterior door - donated by Bob & Pat King
Storm door - donated by Bob & Pat King

Windows:
Any size, pre-hung Window - two windows donated by Bill & Dixie Phelps

Flooring:
250 Self-sticking vinyl tile - donated by Cliff & Judy Dyson
Woodwork or vinyl stripping for base of wall

Electric:
Electrical wiring – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air
Electrical boxes – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air

Misc.
Kitchen ceiling light – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air

Got a Building Project?

Lots happening ... I'm so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going but I do know things are crazy good about now.

See this post at the Backpacks blog ...

Tomorrow me and Brody (thank you Brody for your help and use of your truck) will be picking up a load of materials for Melda's kitchen. Now, here's the part that's really cool ... Ameridian Speciality Services, Inc. has donated a LOT of the materials! Just a few of the things they are giving us are:

Siding
Shingles
Roof flashing
Vinyl soffit
5 gal. bucket of drywall compound
nails
Drywall screws

SO ... if you need any building done please give these good folks a call. Not only have they donated these materials but they have been a title (big) sponsor of REZonate Music Fest for two years!

Work Project: Melda's

Do you happen to have any of this stuff?

If so, we need it. :)

We have a huge work project planned for this trip - bigger than usual. And we have a smaller crew and less money. Not a problem ... God is able to do more with less. But, if you happen to have any of the following materials sitting around your garage looking for a home ... we could really use them to build a kitchen for Melda. (See details here) If you don't have them but know where we can get a really, really good deal on them, let Amber know that too. Oh, and we'll still take cash too. :)


Lumber:
22) 4’ by 8’ sheets of plywood or OSB, 7/16” or1/2” thick for the sides and roof sheeting
6) 4’ by 8’ sheets of plywood or OSB, 5/8” or 3/4" thick for floor sheeting

68) 8’x 2” by 4” studs, half can be 92.5” long framing studs
10)16’ x 2” by 4” studs for truss beam
10)16’ x 2” by 8” boards for floor joist
4) 8’ x 4” x 4” treated posts
Misc treated wood for stairs

Siding:
4 Square of vinyl siding
44’ of starter strip
2 outside corner strips(10 footers)
60‘of J channel
64‘of F channel
40‘under sill edge molding
40’ fascia cover

Roofing:
4) Square of shingles (12 Bundles)
320 sq/ft of tar paper for roofing

Dry wall:
11) 4’ by 8’ drywall boards or 7) 4’ by 12’ boards
2) 5 gal. buckets drywall compound


Hardware:
Nails (framing, roofing, finish)
Floor Joist Hangers for 2 by 8 boards
10 lb drywall screws

Let's throw some
Insulation
Paint
Tile for a floor
and an Exterior Door and a Screen Door in there too. We want to leave her with something fantastic that will last a long time.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Pine Ridge!

GOOD MORNING PINE RIDGE FAMILY!!

I want to introduce you to Melda and her family and show you what our work project will be this year.

This is Melda and one of her grandchildren.

She lives on her own property near the reservation. Melda's husband passed away 8 years ago.

Our crew met Melda in 2007 and needless to say, we all fell in love with her and her family.

This is the road to Melda's place

(and yes, those are the church vans - don't look board members!)

This is what you see as you approach the top of the hill.

This is Melda's place.

This is the front of Melda's house - her kitchen area where she prepares the family's meals

You will notice, there is no door.

This is the view after you go through the kitchen to the other part of the house.

It is a 150 year old log cabin that has been in Melda's family for generations.

Inside you will see all sort of old photographs of the classic "Indians" that we all think of when we think of the Great Sioux Indians. These are Melda's family members.

There is no indoor plumbing at Melda's.

When it snows, as it often does in South Dakota, the snow drifts can be as high as 20 ft high.

Melda and her family walk though the snow to the outhouse they have.

Because they have no door to their home, the snow often piles into the kitchen.

While most of us shovel snow from our driveways, they shovel it out of their home.

Because she lives on her own property, she does not qualify for any federal assistance to the tribe. She is one of those people who have "fallen between the cracks" of society.

And yet...

Melda never complains.

She takes each day as it comes and accepts the path she has been given in life.

And ...

she and her family are very generous.

They hold strong to the Lakota value of generosity.

They willingly share with us (strangers) what they have, be it food, company, or their culture.

Our crew has decided that its time Melda had a new kitchen and that repairs were done to the front part of her home.

This summer we will demolish the front of her house and rebuild it, giving her a real kitchen with running water.

We will work on Melda's house every morning and do a VBS for the children in the afternoon.