November 2009 Archives

This week has been a period of tremendous progress. We are happy to report that Bruno is back on the job site. Although he moves about the grounds with the assistance of crutches, his enthusiasm and quick wit has not suffered at all. It's good to have him back.

Dino Tudisca and Mike Roberts, as the lead Project Managers, filled in exceptionally well for Bruno and kept the project moving forward. Norm Eccleston and George Mattern also provided their construction leadership skills into the late evenings to ensure the project didn't fall behind.

The weather has cooperated with bright sunny days and warm temperatures which is a perfect complement to the attitudes and personalities of the volunteer workers that have been on the site this week.

A construction volunteer mentioned, "I'm disabled and in a lot of pain, but being here and helping this family makes me forget about the physical and emotional pain I'm in."

There are countless numbers of people who have experienced similar tragedies, are unemployed, or their business is on the verge of bankruptcy, or they are afflicted with a dibilitating illness. But something amazing happens when they are on the job site. People are motivated to put their literal and figurative blood, sweat, and tears into the project. And when people leave the site for the day, they leave with a smile and a sense of pride. They can say "I did that!"

Today, United Cerebral Palsy brought Frank C, Chuck J, and Scott J to the job site. Although their physical bodies prevented them from assisting in the construction, they brought food for the volunteers. Their warmth and passion and desire to help was a blessing. Thank you to Mark and Laura for bringing these three angels to offer us encouragement. Thank you also to Anne, Ellen, and Chris for your generous donations of food, drinks, and snacks for the workers.

There are no egos on this job site. Friends work together, strangers work side by side, and small business owners build alliances and networking relationships. There are experts teaching novices, there are novices teaching experts. People are simply helping people, with no expectations for anything in return. 

People have come together to help a family in need. But what we are learning is that while we are helping our neighbors, our friends, and strangers, we are helping ourselves. We are changing the life of the Landa family, but in the process, we are changing our own lives!

We invite you to visit the job site, come say hello, and we promise you'll leave with a smile!

The process of helping the Landa family began in early July 2009 under the direction of Bruno Hayn, the lead builder of the Extreme Home in Voluntown for the Girard family. He created the 501(c)(3) non profit organization, Extreme Home 615 Foundation. Bruno assembled Team Landa 615 from many of the trusted project managers from the Extreme build, but he has also utilized the skills of many new faces from the Griswold community.

While the Extreme build required six weeks of preparation to build a home in just 106 hours, Team Landa 615 has been able to take its time to build the Landa home. Over the past four months the team has diligently focused its time, effort, and energy on fundraising events. Each of the events were succesful due to the volunteer support we received and we are so thankful for YOUR help. But we're not done yet. 

We set a goal to bring the Landa family before Thanksgiving Day. The months of preparation, countless fundraisers, and weekly meetings, are done. The finish line is within reach. Team Landa 615 is energized and ready to bring home the family. However, our deadline is in jeopardy, but we've been in this position before.

During the Extreme build, Mother Nature was relentless with her onslaught of wind, rain, snow, freezing temperatures, etc. ABC doubted our team had the skills, abilities, and intestinal fortitude to finish. We proved them wrong!

A few days ago, Mother Nature threatened to beat us down again. Her wind blew over a porch roof gable which landed on Bruno, severely injuring both his knees, spraining his back, and also dealt him with a mild concussion. While he is at home and recovering, he has been unable to visit the job site since Thursday the 12th. We maintain daily contact with him, and we're continuing towards our goal.

Just as in the Extreme build, we need the help of our community to help reach our goal. We need people, we need materials, we need your support. We have not lost faith in bringing the family home for Thanksgiving. It is our driving motivation and we will not fail. We know how supportive this community is and we know how much they care about the Landa family.

We welcome, encourage, and want you to join us as we complete the race and prepare to cross the finish line together as: Team Landa 615, a Community of Angels, and the Landa family in this time of "giving thanks," 

Sincerely,

Team Landa 615