Victoria Goff, National Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries
American Baptist Churches
PO Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2449
Victoria.Goff@abc-usa.org
Please review the entire packet and attachments before calling with any questions.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: ASAP.
Please return all registration and waiver forms, along with your payment to Victoria Goff ASAP.
REGISTRATION & WAIVER FORMS:
*Please note: ABC Baptist volunteers will be building eleven homes in Habitat’s new Rosewood Subdivision during the 2008 Baptist Blitz. Volunteers will be assigned to work on a specific house after arriving in Baton Rouge. Assignments will be based on the number of registered volunteers and their skill level. We will make every effort to assign groups to the same house, but this may not always be possible.*
All 2008 Baptist Blitz volunteers must complete, sign and return the attached Habitat registration and waiver forms, with the required registration fee, ASAP. Please be sure to have your waiver form signed and witnessed before mailing it back.
Volunteers under age 16 will not be allowed to volunteer at the 2008 Baptist Blitz Build and will be asked to leave.
Any volunteer under the age of 18 must have the release form signed by their parent or legal guardian. No volunteers under the age of 16 will be allowed to participate in any aspect of the Habitat build process. All volunteers under the age of 18 must travel and work alongside an adult chaperone. There is a required 1:5 chaperone to teen ratio.
COST:
$100 per person per week (Sunday-Saturday). The total amount will be due with your registration. Make checks or money orders payable to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge (HFHGBR). This fee is to help defer some of the affiliate expenses associated with this build and will include a light breakfast and lunch each workday (Mon-Sat) and dormitory-style lodging (Sun-Sat).
There will be a very limited number of scholarships available to volunteers who cannot afford the Habitat registration fee. Please contact Vickie Goff for more information.
On the registration form please mark what week you would like to participate (April 28-May 3 or May 12-17) and note if you will be unable to volunteer the entire week (Monday thru Saturday, 7:45am- 3pm).
SCHEDULE:
The 2008 Baptist Blitz will be a three-week modified blitz build schedule. During the first week of the build, 150 volunteers will be recruited to work from Monday, April 28 until Saturday, May 3. During the second week we will have no unskilled volunteers on-site while local contractors work to install the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall and shingles. ABC volunteers will return to the build site on Monday, May 12 and work to complete construction on the first five houses and begin construction on an additional 6 homes. All houses will be dedicated on Saturday, May 17.
The Blessing of the Build will be held on Monday, April 28 at 8am, and the Dedications will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, May 17.
Volunteers will be asked to arrive at the build site between 7 and 7:15am before the daily 7:30am safety talk. Construction will begin promptly after each morning’s safety talk. Lunch will arrive on-site around 11am, and lunch will be served at 11:30am. At 3pm we will begin cleaning up the construction site, and everyone will be heading toward a cool shower by 3:30pm.
Although volunteers will be very eager to spend as many hours as possible at the construction site, we have to limit our volunteer day to just 8 hours. The Habitat construction staff must arrive on-site 1.5 hours before volunteers, and they spend at least 1.5 hours each afternoon preparing for the next build day. Please understand that volunteer and staff safety is our top priority. Please plan late afternoon activities around the Baton Rouge area and outings to Cajun restaurants to keep you busy after leaving the build site at 3:30pm daily.
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:The Habitat construction staff has drafted a build schedule, outlining each construction task that needs to be completed daily. Although it would be ideal to stay on schedule, rain, heat and local contractors will all affect our schedule. Please remember that no matter how much we accomplish while volunteering in Baton Rouge, a deserving family will be three weeks closer to realizing their dream of homeownership.
HOUSING:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge (HFHGBR) will be securing dormitory-style housing facilities, similar to the 2007 Blitz Build for volunteers. Beds will be available on a first register, first serve basis and all fees are included in your one-time cost. Space is limited, so please register early. **Please note: The lodging facilities are to be assumed at volunteers’ own risk and HFHGBR will not be responsible for any lodging issues. Please keep your area clean and respect the Church’s property. If there are any concerns, please inform your contact listed in this packet.
If you choose not to take advantage of our dormitory-style housing option, volunteers will be responsible for reserving and financing their own lodging. HGHGBR is working to secure discounted rates at hotels close to the Rosewood build site. Discounted prices should be finalized in early March, and a list of participating hotels will be distributed to registered volunteers. Please do not call for a room reservation expecting discounted pricing until further information has been given.
Volunteers are encouraged to check into their housing Sunday afternoon before the build so that they are rested and ready to build bright and early Monday morning. If your travel plans have you arriving early, please contact Vickie Goff to discuss housing options.
MEALS:
A light breakfast and lunch will be provided on-site each workday (Monday-Saturday). Habitat is working to recruit local Baptist congregations and restaurants to donate meals throughout the Blitz. If your church or organization would like to contribute, please contact Vickie Goff at the number above. Lunch donations will vary; volunteers with special dietary needs are encouraged to provide their own lunch.
Large Igloo coolers with water and PowerAde will be available at each build site. Louisiana can be very hot in May, and volunteers are encouraged to bring a water bottle to site each build day and keep it filled with cold water and PowerAde in an effort to stay hydrated.
The dormitory will not have cooking or refrigeration facilities available. Volunteers will be required to provide their own morning & evening meals on build days and all meals on travel days (Sundays).
TRANSPORTATION:
HFHGBR will not be able to assist volunteers with transportation to Baton Rouge, the build site or within the city after you arrive. Volunteers are encouraged to carpool to site each day.
All major vehicle rental agencies are available at the Baton Rouge airport. Most hotels have a shuttle service to and from the airport, so check with your hotel, if applicable.
The Rosewood subdivision is approximately 20 miles from the Baton Rouge airport and the Saintsville Dormitory. Rosewood is approximately 12 miles from nearby hotels.
DIRECTIONS:
§ From BTR Metropolitan Airport (9430 Jackie Cochran Dr., Baton Rouge) to Habitat’s Rosewood Subdivision:
Turn left when coming out of airport and at the first light turn right onto LA-408 W / Harding Blvd. Merge onto I-110 S toward Baton Rouge (6.6 miles). Merge onto I-10 East via Exit 11 on the left toward NEW ORLEANS (6.5 miles). Merge onto BLUEBONNET BLVD / LA-1248 S via Exit 162 (3.5 miles).Turn right onto BURBANK DR / LA-42.Turn left onto ELVIN DR.
§ From BTR Metropolitan Airport to Saintsville Dormitory (8930 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70811):
Turn Left when coming out of airport. Turn left again at the first red light onto LA-408 W /Harding Blvd. Turn left onto Plank Rd. Go .5 miles, church will be on the right. Turn by the Lighthouse bookstore. Lodging is dormitory style straight back. They will be labeled men and women.
§ From Saintsville Dormitory to Habitat’s Rosewood Subdivision:
Turn Left when coming out of the Saintsville Parking Lot. Turn Right onto LA-408/Harding Blvd. Merge onto I-110 S toward Baton Rouge (6.6 miles). Merge onto I-10 East via Exit 11 on the left toward NEW ORLEANS (6.5 miles). Merge onto BLUEBONNET BLVD / LA-1248 S via Exit 162 (3.5 miles).Turn right onto BURBANK DR / LA-42.Turn left onto ELVIN DR.
BUILD SITE PARKING:
Build site parking will be limited, and volunteers are encouraged to carpool whenever possible.
SKILLED VOLUNTEERS:
Skilled and professional volunteers are encouraged to contact the HFHGBR Volunteer Coordinator at katiep@habitatbr.org to find our more information about volunteering as a House or Crew Leader during the 2008 Baptist Blitz Build. In order to finish construction on eleven houses in just three weeks, we will need to have strong volunteer leadership, including eleven volunteer House Leaders and 35 volunteer Crew Leaders.
TOOLS:
HFHGBR will provide all the tools, supplies and nail bags necessary to complete each build day’s task list.
If you have a lucky hammer, tape measure or tool belt that you are particularly fond of, feel free to bring it along. Please mark your personal tools so that they don’t get misplaced on the build site. Habitat is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items that you bring to the build site.
MATERIAL DONATIONS:
Although a HFHGBR house sponsorship is $75,000, the total cost of house construction is close to $100,000. The affiliate tries to make this difference up through material donations.
During the 2007 Blitz, volunteers donated door hardware, plumbing fixtures and wall insulation for all 12 Blitz Build houses. These donations saved the affiliate nearly $18,000!
If you have a professional contact who you think might be interested in donating materials for the 2008 Baptist Blitz houses, please contact the HFHGBR volunteer coordinator at katiep@habitatbr.org.
WEATHER:
South Louisiana is hot and humid in early May! Please wear cool, comfortable clothing to the build site. Shorts, T-shirts and tank tops are acceptable, however, please remember to dress conservatively. No matter how warm it gets, everyone must wear a shirt and closed-toed, thick-soled shoes at all times.
In addition to being stifling during the summer, Baton Rouge is also known for its afternoon rain showers. HFHGBR’s policy is to work rain-or-shine, so please bring rain boots and a rain coat to help you stay dry. Although we will work through a passing shower, volunteers will be sent home during lightening storms or other dangerous weather.
BAPTIST BLITZ FAMILY HOMEOWNERS:
The five 2008 Baptist Blitz Build homeowners will be selected soon, and encouraged to participate in the construction of their own homes daily. HFHGBR will share family biographies with scheduled volunteers prior to your arrival.
On occasion, family partners are unable to participate in construction as much as they would like. Work and school schedules, as well as childcare problems can keep families away. HFHGBR will work with families to sort out scheduling issues during this 3-week build so that families will be able to work side-by-side with volunteers.
Volunteers are permitted to present families with “house warming gifts,” however Habitat cannot facilitate these donations or gifts. Please remember that the 2008 Baptist Blitz Build homeowners will be just 5 homeowners within a 55-house Habitat subdivision.
EVALUATION:
After the 2007 Baptist Blitz, volunteers completed surveys to help HFHGBR see their build success and struggles. Because of this volunteer feedback, your volunteer experience will be even better this year!
Please help us improve again by completing a 2008 Baptist Blitz Evaluation at www.habitatbr.org.
2008 BAPTIST BLITZ BLOG:
The 2007 Baptist Blitz Build Blog, http://habitatbr.blogspot.com, was a great way for Blitz volunteers to share their stories and pictures with their family and friends at home.
Habitat will again be hosting a blog during the 2008 Blitz. The 2008 Baptist Blitz Build Blog will be located at http://2008baptistblitzbuild.blogspot.com/. Volunteers will be encouraged to post their stories, and comment on the build progress.
VOLUNTEER PACKING LIST:
FOOTWEAR
§ Work boots–recommended, but not required
§ Thick-soled, closed-toed shoes-for light construction work
§ Flip Flops-for shower and dorm
§ Rain or mud boots
Regardless of the weather, you must wear closed-toed shoes at all times on the construction site. You will be asked to leave the site if you do not have appropriate footwear.
CLOTHING
§ Underwear–Enough to get you through the week, plus extra to prepare for weather issues
§ Socks– Enough to get you through the week, plus extra to prepare for weather issues
§ PJs
§ Comfortable work pants (some long, some short)–Jeans, khakis, etc. Bring clothing that you won’t mind getting dirty.
§ Comfortable shirts, long and short-sleeved
§ Light jacket or rain coat
§ One “going out” outfit, such as good jeans and nice shirt for a night out. Many volunteers become friendly and opt for a dinner or activity off-site after the work day is over. You will be tired; however, so don’t plan on going out every night. Conserve your energies, and plan to rest!
§ Work gloves–Make sure they fit. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have all sizes.
§ Hat, bandana, sunglasses
Please do not bring extra clothing to donate to our homeowners; Habitat does not have laundry or storage facilities to manage donations.
OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF:
§ Sheets (standard twin top sheet), Sleeping bag or blanket, favorite pillow, bath towel, hand towel
§ Toiletries (soap, shaver, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, paste, toilet paper etc.), Insect repellant, sunscreen
§ Medications and vitamins- There will be a first aid kit on each site, but please remember to bring prescriptions.
§ Alarm clock- Others are depending on you to complete their tasks, so please be punctual.
§ Camera- Trust us; you will want a picture or two of this!
§ Flashlight and batteries
§ Spending money- please remember you are responsible for your own morning and evening meal each day, as well as your own transportation.
TIPS:
§ Don’t bring anything of value. Think simple, comfortable, and necessary. There will be no location for securing volunteer items.
§ Take time to talk with the other volunteers and find out why they came. Everyone has a good story.
§ Get to know the homeowner (partner) families. All five of the Blitz houses are for hurricane-affected families. A lot of them feel like they have been forgotten, and most have never been on a construction site before and are just as nervous as you are. Let’s make them feel comfortable!
Your “To-do” List:
¨ Fill out a volunteer registration and waiver form and return them with payment Vickie Goff by April 1. Remember the dormitory facilities are on first come, first serve basis; so the sooner the better!
¨ Don’t forget to check appropriate box on registration form if staying in lodging facilities.
¨ Write a check in the amount of ($100 x # of people/per week) and return with your registration form.
¨ Sign your waiver form, and don’t forget to have a friend witness for you!
¨ Purchase your plane tickets or call the rental car company.
¨ Remember bedding!
¨ Get ready for some hard work, fun, and an opportunity to change the lives of five families forever!
¨ After you get home, go to http://www.habitatbr.org/ to complete evaluation online.
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