Published: September 08, 2007 02:42 pm         

‘Village’ comes together for Habitat home

San Marcos — Tweaking an old adage just a bit, you might say it takes an entire village to build one house.

“Habitat’s diverse volunteers are our village. But instead of raising a child, they are raising at house at 1509 Belvin St.,” said Larry Brotzman, board member and construction supervisor for San Marcos Area Habitat for Humanity.

The house will belong to Silvia Garrado, 50, a custodian at Hernandez Elementary School. Silvia is raising 12-year-old Viviana. Both now live in government housing and plan to soon move into their new 1,250 square foot energy efficient home.

“I can now have my friends over. They can visit whenever they want,” Viviana said. “I can have a dog. I can have a cat. I can do whatever I want. At last I have a place for me. My mom says all this is a dream come true.”

Brotzman stays busy during the week supervising auxiliary services construction at Texas State University. Then, on most Saturdays, he directs volunteers.

“I can use anyone if he or she is willing to show up and learn,” Brotzman said. “I can teach them building skills if they are willing to do whatever is needed at the time. For example, one volunteer had a bad back and couldn’t lift anything. Bue he had really good eye sight and could read a level perfectly.”

Brotzman says that the oldest volunteer is 78 and the youngest is 11.

“We aren’t supposed to use youngsters because of insurance reasons. But I gave that 11-year-old the job of picking up nails. I thought it would be good for him.

“After a few hours, he asked ‘what’s so important about picking up nails?’ I took him to my truck and showed a flat tire. I think he learned something that day,” Brotzman said.

On a recent work day, Jim Darnell, Daily Record outdoor columnist and Christian outdoor TV host, nailed Hardie Plank siding up to the exterior. The bang-bang of the power nailer resembles the muzzle blast from a military M2 carbine. The nail gun is powered by a loud air compressor and talking is difficult.

Brotzman stands to the side of the table saw.

“I need one cut seven-foot-five,” Darnell yells.

“Coming up,” Brotzman shouts back.

Darnell is a former pastor and founder of the local Hill Country Church.

“The Bible teaches us to share our faith by humbly serving those around us who can use our help,” Darnell said. “Both Silvia and Viviana are wonderful people and deserve a good home.”

Tommy Ray, the present pastor of Hill Country Church works the same day. He caulks inside the oven-like structure. The house has not yet been air conditioned.

Its metal roof funnels unbelievable heat to the concrete floor. Volunteers must frequently break and go outside for water.

Meanwhile, about 10 students from the construction program at Texas State University screw down the final sheets of metal on the roof.

“Put one more right in there,” Gary Winek shouts from the ground.

Winek is a local Habitat board member, professor and Construction Program Coordinator at the university.

“We are training students to be construction managers. This means they will need to know how to do contracts and estimate labor rates,” Winek said. “What a wonderful real world experience for students to learn how a house goes together. And while they are learning, they are contributing to our community.”

Lance Jones retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after spending 30 years as a photojournalist. He returned to school and will soon graduate from Texas State University with a degree in mass communications.

“I donated to Habitat after the last two really bad hurricanes. I got really excited when I learned I could do more,” Jones said. “Now I look forward to getting up Saturday mornings when we generally work. I know I’m going to see old friends and also meet new people.”

Jones says he likes the value system of Habitat.

“I don’t want to just give you something for free. I want you to work for it. And when you do, I’ll show up to help you,” he said.

Silvia, like every other Habitat house owner, must contribute 300 hours of labor. Among other jobs, Silvie helped unload and nail up large roof trusses, shoveled yard fill and wheel barrowed caliche.

Jones claims he is learning valuable building skills.

“I started out just handing things to people. Now, I hang doors, nail baseboards and put up siding. I recently bought my own house, so all this will help me with it,” Jones said.

Ronda Reagan, local Habitat chairman, says that you don’t have to be an expert with a hammer to help.

“We need someone to help us with general accounting. Right now we need desperately a book keeper,” Reagan said.

     

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