June 1, 2008
A little over a week ago we did what many thought could not be done - we gave the Ravenell's new hope. Thanks to a lot of incredibly generous souls, some amazing companies, the hard work and sweat from volunteers and the vision of myself and Kim we were able to do some amazing things.
 
These are the things we did in less than 10 hours:
  • Pulled up old, moldy carpeting
  • Removed furniture from 8 rooms
  • Hand picked hundreds of staples out of the flooring
  • Scrubbed, washed, cleaned, vacuumed, mopped, used a toothbrush in the small spaces and a shop vac for the rest (in 11 rooms I might add!)
  • Replaced 2 shower heads, and 2 toilet seats
  • Fixed leaky plumbing
  • Replaced doors, fixed others
  • Replaced ceiling tiles in a bathroom
  • Organized hundreds of donations
  • Painted 6 rooms and a hallway, including trim
  • Brought in a new fridge through a doorway too small and a few steps in between!
  • Hang new curtains
  • Re-buillt 2 bunk beds and moved in new furniture for entire house
  • Hung artwork that inspires the family
  • Set up a new computer in their new office complete with 2 new desks, new filing cabinets, bookshelves full of new books
  • Created a music room complete with a drum set (thanks Angel for putting that one together!), a karaoke machine, new keyboard, electric guitar and other smaller instruments
  • Built rods and shelves in all their closets and hung new clothing
  • Painted an old dresser into a bright cheery piece of art for the girls
  • Filled their cabinets with new kitchenware and food
  • Filled the refrigerator with food
  • Filled the freezer with more food and homemade meals
  • Mowed, weed whacked, raked, dug up, mulched, planted and created beautiful landscaping in the front, side and back of house.
  • Planted a vegetable garden
  • Fixed their basketball hoop
  • Supplied them with many months of laundry detergent, toilet paper and paper towels.
  • Installed a portable energy efficient AC unit
  • Gave them new lighting
  • Brought in a beautifully handmade table big enough to seat all of them during their meals
  • Created a cozy living room area with new furniture, a sleeper sofa, enough movies to keep them entertained and thanks to Coach, Clarence and Tara we somehow managed to bring in the 600lb entertainment center that also did not want to fit through the door.
  • Somewhere in all of this we also managed to laugh, cry, curse, scream, eat great food from Home Team BBQ, make several trips to Lowes (unless you were Valerie and you made several trips home to get us shop vacs, supplies and pillows!)
  • For Kim and I we managed to keep the momentum going, the countdown on (2 more hours!), stand in front of a camera (despite our sweat and dirt) to be interviewed by either Channel 4, 5 or the Post and Courier, eat on the fly, get Sally to make Lowes runs, track down lost keys to a car that needed to be moved, and somehow knew what was going on everywhere all at once (or at least we hoped so!)

 

And at the stroke of the 10th hour we greeted the family at the end of their driveway and walked them to their back yard which had been transformed into a party scene with Hank the Pirate playing live music, food catered by Hymans, and the faces of all the volunteers and many of the donators, and several news crews. It was a scene never to be forgotten. It was only in that moment that the family realized we had done more than just "clean their house" as Theresa Ravenell had been led to believe this entire time.  

There were tears of joy from Theresa, ear to ear grins from the kids and many proud moments from myself and I'm sure the many others who were a part of changing this family's life. Those are the moments that matter in life.
 
To all the volunteers who participated in this project ... I know the task was much greater than we had anticipated, and I realize the sacrifices all of you made to make sure it got done. There was not a detail that went unnoticed and I am so very proud of the teamwork all of us displayed. Beyond everything we did, I think the our teamwork and our vision  was one of the most beautiful and inspiring things I personally have ever been a part of. Thank you, truly, for showing up in more ways than just physically. I learned on this day there is absolutely nothing in this world that a group of amazing women and a few incredible men can't do!
 
To all the donators who gave to this project their money, clothes, furniture, movies, food, art, plants, paint, candles, toys, bikes, books, bedding, gift cards, their everything .... It was a sight to be seen when we laid everything out and were able to completely furnish a home for 8 people based on what people like you gave. They went from a house with a very few belongings to a cozy home that reflects love, family, laughter, color and growth.
 
All of us are amazing. Thank you. Thank you . Thank you!
 
Next project is on the way ....
 
Warmest Regards,
Dakota