October 11, 2011

Next Build Day October 15

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Uncategorized
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We are heading back to the Brady Building on Sat. Oct. 15 for another day of renovating apartments for formerly homeless men.
We have about 20 Volunteers in Mission expected. Besides construction work we have food to serve, cleanup to do and errands to run for materials and tools.
Please check the Team Member page to see if you are on the list. Let Bob if the list needs an update.

Work Plan

We will be painting, installing drywall and refinishing floors.  Bring gloves. A hat is often a good idea, too. In general we are providing our own tools.
Although we are not doing any electrical or plumbing installation, we sometimes have to do some electrical or plumbing “work arounds” or tear outs.
Cass has a decent supply of ladders, brooms, drywall tools. If we need them, we will buy roller covers and brushes for painting.

Crew

Do we know if you are coming? Check the team member page and if you are planning to help but don’t see your name, add a comment.

Schedule

8:30 am — Gather at GPUMC
9:00 am — Arrive at site, 1405 Webb Ave. — Just east of the Lodge Freeway, M-10 at the Webb Ave. exit.
Noon or so — Lunch provided. Free will offerings accepted to cover lunch, dinner and miscellaneous costs.
4:00 pm — wrap up
6:00 pm — dinner at Lynn and Fred Van de Putte’s 424 Cloverly, GPF.  Bring your own drinks.
8:00 pm  — Goodnight! Thanks.

 

June 19, 2011

Brady Bunch Complete First Blitz Build

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Brady Bunch
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The GPUMC Brady Bunch completed its first blitz build weekend June 17-19, 2011 by tearing out damaged ceilings and plaster walls, removing two cast iron bathtubs, repairing bathroom subfloors, painting an apartment, repairing plaster walls, and installing two outdoor benches. In all, 26 people participated in one way or another, donating a total of 232 people-hours to the project in three days.
When the Volunteers in Mission (VIM) learned on their first day that the Brady Building had a leaky roof that was allowing water to damage ceilings and walls, it decided on the spot to release $3,200 from the VIM fund to make repairs. Before the weekend was over, the team delivered the check to Cass Community Social Services director of operations, Ed Hingelberg.
The VIM team owes its ability to act decisively on the generosity of the entire GPUMC congregation, which has supported VIM through its only fundraiser, the Paloozarama dinner and dessert auction.
For more photos of the VIM team in action, click here.  User = gpumc  password = John316

Roof repair check delivered to CCSS

VIM Team presents check to Cass Community Social Services to repair the roof

 

June 8, 2011

Work Schedule and News

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Uncategorized
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Thank you for your interest in The Brady Bunch volunteers in mission project.

We are getting ready for our first work weekend, Friday June 17 through Sunday June 19.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, June 17

9:00 AM A few volunteers who are available will meet at church. We will carpool to the site and meet with the construction manager and assess the tasks we think we can accomplish, make sure we will have proper tools and materials, and begin some work.

Saturday, June 18

7:15 AM Organize and caravan from GPUMC.

8:00 AM  Begin full work day on site. Lunch at the site.

4:00 PM Return to church and homes to clean up for dinner.

6:00 PM Picnic dinner at a spot to be determined.

Sunday, June 19

9:30 AM Attend church.

11:30 AM Leave from church to the site.

4:00 PM  Return to church.

 

May 23, 2011

June 17-19 Plans

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Brady Bunch
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We have been cleared for work on the Brady Building June 17-19.  Tentative working hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Fri. and Sat.  Noon – 5:00 Sunday. We can adjust if necessary with some advance notice.

Construction manager Ed Hingelberg will give us a heads up a week in advance with an update about what kind of work is ready. We can send someone over any time to meet with him and make our own assessment as well.

Ed mentioned that the lack of funds for contractors to do licensed work is slowing progress.  I suggested we might be able to assist if there is a specific job that is holding up volunteer work.  He is going to review the situation and report back to us.

When can we meet to organize the effort?

 

April 25, 2011

Tour of the Brady Building

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Brady Bunch
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I think we can do something with this.

Click to see Brady Building Photos

 

April 20, 2011

Brady Tour and Planning

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Brady Bunch
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We have an appointment Monday April 25 at 10:00 am to meet Faith Fowler, Judy Harnish and perhaps a few others from CCSS at the Brady Building.

We’ll take a look at the place, then meet for some planning. Wear your construction clothes.

 

April 15, 2011

The Brady Bunch

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Brady Bunch
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Here’s the link to the Brady Building.

Here’s the basic plan:

We change the name of our ad hoc, all inclusive, ever-ready volunteer team from VIM NOLA to The Brady Bunch. Initiation will not require answering trivia questions or singing the theme, but it’s not discouraged.
We make a significant commitment to this project. I’m thinking modestly at $5,000/year for minimum of three years (for the Brady Building and possible successors, if all work is completed by then).
We figure out a way — with the help of CCSS — to provide volunteer opportunities for people who may not have, nor want to acquire construction-related skills. (There’s a need to collect and package donations of soft goods for each apartment, for instance.)
We create a new scheme for the primary work crews that invites high participation at key times throughout the year.

Please click on the comment link above to post your thoughts and look at the comments of others. This is a moderated site, so your comments will not appear immediately. They will pop up after I approve them. So, Laurie, watch what you say about Steve! hahaha. Thanks.

 

March 12, 2011

What’s Next for GPUMC VIM?

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Uncategorized
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We’ve made five trips to New Orleans to help rebuild homes and lives after the 2005 hurricanes. It’s time to turn our attentions to other needs. I’m looking for suggestions about what might be next. We have many choices.  For instance, other Methodist churches:
*  Return every year to established missions — such as Henderson Settlement, in Frakes, KY, where our high school students serve
*  Organize trips to adventurous missions overseas in Haiti, Costa Rica or Africa
*  Buy and equip “Early Response” trailers and train themselves to quickly travel to scenes of tornadoes, floods or other natural disasters within a day’s drive or so from Grosse Pointe
*  Create strong partnerships with Detroit-based organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Cass Community Services, Dominican Literacy Center or Gleaners Community Food Bank and organize groups to help on a regular basis, or do special projects.

The question is — what sort of Volunteer in Mission are you?  Please post your comments, find me at church, leave me a voicemail, or send me a message any other way you would like.  When I have collected enough input — we will start making plans.

Yours in Christ,
Bob Rossbach

 

 

May 8, 2010

Nothing is easy on the way to the Big Easy

Posted by Robert Rossbach under NOLA 2010
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Saturday night travel stories ….

Got the call from David on my way to Bloomington on Friday that he had just discovered that a vandal had broken a window of the van. (That’s why they call them “vandals,” I’m pretty sure.) This is the vehicle I was expecting to drive today to Dyersburg, TN. David had tried to get a replacement — but no one in Bloomington could get the right pane until Monday, and what a pane that would be! Luckily we located a glass replacement outfit that will do the job in New Orleans, so with a bit of duct tape and 6 mil plastic body work, I was on my way today.

Emily is making her first trip this year, because this is the first time she hasn’t been in the midst of a Kalamazoo College spring quarter. Kalamazoo was not going to be deterred by such a simple thing as graduation, however.  The College called Friday to schedule an interview this Wednesday for a college admissions position. They said they could not delay the interview even one week. So Emily is driving to New Orleans, flying to Kalamazoo Tuesday, returning Wednesday to New Orleans, and flying back to Chicago Saturday morning to coach a swim meet. She is poised to be the clear winner in the “most miles traveled” category.

The Gardner family is also turning this trip into an Odyssey.  They can tell their own story, but the outcome is like that saying, “A day late and a Ross short.” No serious mishaps, but a few wrinkles in their plans, too. Greg and Ben expect to arrive in NOLA Monday.

All in all, these only demonstrate the kind of commitment our team has for the service we will perform. Obstacles are merely stepping stones, but let’s hope for fewer of them on the road to New Orleans  Sunday.

 

May 6, 2010

All systems GO

Posted by Robert Rossbach under Uncategorized
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Departure meeting is 6:00 a.m. Saturday May 8.

You will put whatever you can into the trailer, say a prayer and depart.
Send me a text when you are your way (NOT a driver!).

Those leaving from other places, please keep me updated on your progress during the weekend.
I will be in Bloomington Friday night, leaving for Dyersburg, TN about 1:00 pm., and expect to meet Kate, Emily R-R and Michelle O in Dyersburg around 7:00 pm CDT.

See you in New Orleans. Have a safe journey. The service begins here.

 

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