Paradise, CA – Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2022

Our long-term team of volunteers was completed this week with the arrival of Crew Leader, Robert Prinse, Chilliwack, BC, who joined Crew Leader, David King, Broadway, VA, our Head and Assistant Cooks, Carol and Thomas Wieler, Steinbach, MB, as well as Project Director and Office Manager, Don and Rachel Horst, Newton, KS.  Weekly volunteers this week came from MB, BC and central California, bringing our total count of volunteers to 15.

Monday everyone worked at Randy Loomis’, laying the subfloor and putting up all the exterior walls.   Tues. all the external walls were sheeted and interior walls put in place.  Wed. the trusses were installed.  Rain was in the forecast for Thurs. so everyone headed to the Ream and Dechter houses to tackle “punch list” items.  The sun came out on Fri. enabling the team to return to Randy Loomis’ and finish putting the sheeting on the roof.

Having one of Randy’s neighbors lend a helping hand using his personal loader to move the load of gravel that came was great to see.  Even though the rain slowed down our work on the houses it definitely was a highlight in bringing moisture to this part of the country.  Seeing the joy in Randy’s eyes as he watches the construction of his house progress was another highlight this week.

Plans for the upcoming week are to finish the punch lists at Dechter and Moreno houses.  There is more rain in the forecast for next week so weather permitting, we plan to have concrete poured for the porches at Loomis’ and the footers at Reyes.  Each day is one day closer to getting more folks home.

Submitted by Rachel Horst for the Paradise team.

Photo Gallery