“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”    Buddha

Another busy day in PVland…Finally we had a day without rain, and not only that, it was cooler and had less humidity. A perfect way to end a great week. We had five options for the volunteers today.

First, it was distribution day at the Itmann Food Bank, so a group of volunteers headed over early to get set up before the clients came in. The Itmann Food Bank has distribution once a month and serves, on average, 500 families a month. The volunteers kept busy filling boxes, carrying the boxes out to cars, giving out clothes and housewares. One of the fun things about being there on distribution day is seeing people we have helped in the past and seeing how they are doing.

A couple of volunteers returned to the site in Glen Rogers to paint the newly installed ceiling. The pictures of the new ceiling look fantastic! We have a couple of little items left to finish up there, but for the most part the site is finished.

Volunteers returned to the site in Cabin Creek to continue work on the ramp. Amazing progress was made today as the whole ramp was framed out and is ready for deck boards and railings next week. We were also able to have one of our volunteers, who has some knowledge of electrical issues, look at the homeowner’s heat pump. It seems that it won’t take much to get it working and them to have heat in the winter. Again, a simple thing that can make a huge difference.

We started a new site today in Oceana for a family of three, soon to be four living in a trailer. Their trailer had been broken into, rendering their door damaged and unable to lock. Today we were able to give them a new door and a sense of security. Next week we will return to build a front porch so they will be all ready when the new baby comes who is due in just over a week.

The final site of the day was Glen Rogers Manor and a little Banana BINGO for all! Both volunteers and residents alike enjoyed their time together.

Tonight for dinner we had all the fixings of a cook out, without actually cooking out. BBQ chicken and veggie burgers with potato salad, coleslaw, salad and bean salad. A fantastic way to end the week!

As with each Friday, we wind down the week reflecting on the week that passed. There are so many amazing experiences that we all have, it is the last time for us to share them among our community before we go our separate ways. It is pretty amazing that we are rounding the corner and getting ready to start the last week of the West Virginia summer program. Where did the time go?