Dawson Springs, KY – March 5-11, 2023

This week we welcomed 15 men from the Shipshewana, IN, area as our volunteers for the week.  It is good to have them here and we are looking forward to a great week together.  We also welcomed Lavern, Ella and Simon, joining us for the month of March, Lavern as Crew Leader and Ella as Assistant Cook.

Volunteers worked at four sites on Monday.  They installed doors, casing and baseboard at Stephanie’s, and painted exterior and interior at James’, along with installing doors, casing and baseboard there.  At Ava’s, volunteers were mudding and taping and the shower was installed.  Deck boards went on at Andy’s, as well as installing doors and windows and beginning to cut stair treads.

On Tuesday, the side deck was finished at Stephanie’s, closet shelving installed and door knobs put on.  More painting was done at James’ and more mudding at Ava’s.  On Wednesday, flooring was begun at James’, along with painting doors, and more mudding and exterior painting worked on at Ava’s.  Stephanie’s home is in the final stages, with the final paint on the trim, closet shelving installed and appliances set on Wednesday.  At Andy’s, siding was put on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday evening Josh, from Catholic Charities, and Brittany and her family joined us for our evening meal.  Brittany’s family were at a family member’s home outside of town during the tornado so they were safe, but their house was destroyed.  They have been living in a FEMA trailer in Madisonville and are looking forward to being back in Dawson Springs in their new home by late summer hopefully.  The foundation should soon be going in here.

By the end of the week, insulation had been blown in at Stephanie’s and the final touchup done. Insulation was blown in at James’ and the floor completely installed, along with putting up doors, window casing and baseboard.   At Ava’s, the side porch and stairs were finished and the final sanding done on the mudding to be ready for paint on Monday. Also on Friday, a new home was begun for Andrew with plates and joists in place, ready for the sheeting on Monday.

We enjoyed a visit from Kevin King and Darin Bontrager on Thursday and Friday and it was good to have them report to the group what all MDS is involved in around the country and to answer questions.  Thanks for coming!

Dawson Springs Team, Ron and Char, Lavern and Ella, Michael, Mike and Linda

What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?