Our Lady of Peace Parishioners,
A designated offering will be held for the Appalachian Construction Crew on Sunday, 13 February 2011.
The Crew was started in 1988, with a seed planted by Offutt Chaplain Father Dennis Hanley. The Crew's mission is to build homes for Appalachian families unable to afford adequate housing. Each June, the Crew deploys to McCreary County, KY, the eighth poorest county in the nation by median household income. The Good Shepherd Mission of Whitley City, KY, selects the deserving family receiving the home. Originally, volunteer builders came mainly from the Bellevue area but with the constant military personnel moves, our volunteers now come from all over the country.
Last June, the Crew built a home for Daniel and Laura Taylor and their two children, Heavenly and Drew. The Taylor Family was homeless due to their trailer being damaged beyond repair during a move. Laura could find only part time employment. The family is now living in their new, 24-foot by 40-foot, 3-bedroom home. The home is not a free handout since the family agrees to pay back the material cost of the home to the Good Shepherd Mission in small, interest-free payments. The Mission then uses this money for helping others in McCreary County. Your generous support throughout the years, allows the Crew to buy the materials for the homes.
Sister Nancy Sutton of the Good Shepherd Mission has just informed us that we will be building a new home in June 2011, for Ricky and Tabatha Ridner and their two daughters, Takelia and Takayla. The Ridner Family is currently living in a trailer that is falling apart and has many roof leaks.
The Appalachian Construction Crew truly appreciates your continuing support of our cause. For more info and photos of our work, please go to our website at http://accrew.org . Anyone interested in joining us next June for building our 26th family home, please call me at 402-292-5274. Due to limited publicity at Offutt Chapel, please pass this email on to other parishioners.
Thanks,
George Ziska, Jr.
Secretary and Construction Director
Appalachian Construction Crew, Inc.