Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing

Approximately 25 cyclists are pedaling 2,500 miles to raise awareness and support for The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit Christian housing ministry. The team is traveling from Niagara Falls to New Orleans to celebrate The Fuller Center’s 5th anniversary. They have three goals: raise $250 thousand, encourage hands-on involvement and to help communities start or support Fuller Center projects. Interested cyclists are invited to ride with the team for a day or more.

The team will be stopping in Tallahassee on Wednesday, July 28th, where they plan to speak about their journey at First Baptist Church, 108 West College Avenue at 7:00pm. The third annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure departed Niagara Falls on June 20 and will arrive in New Orleans on August 7.

The cyclists are also noting the fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It was after these storms that The Fuller Center began its first major building initiative, constructing homes in Shreveport for low-income hurricane victims who had relocated. The event was inspired by fundraising walks of 700, 1,000 and 1,200 miles that Fuller Center and Habitat for Humanity founders Millard and Linda Fuller led during their time at Habitat. “With the federal government facing mounting debts, it’s up to each of us to get our hands dirty and raise some money to make a difference in our communities and around the world,” says Fuller Center trip leader Ryan Iafigliola. “Long after the media attention fades, we rebuild in places like New Orleans and Haiti. I hope we inspire some of those who hear about our ride to contact us and get involved.”

This is the second consecutive year that the Fuller Center Bike Adventure has visited Tallahassee. In 2009, Adventure riders participated in a home repair project sponsored by the Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing prior to completing their 1,200 mile journey from Michigan at Shell Point Beach in Wakulla County

The first half of 2010 has been a very busy time for the Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing, as volunteers from several churches and organizations worked to complete several Greater Blessings Box projects. 

Beginning in November and continuing through February, our volunteers worked to replace a roof and complete other exterior repairs on the home of Clyde and Diane Young on Doonesbury Court.  This was truly a faith community effort with dedicated volunteers coming from Killearn United Methodist, Good Shepherd Catholic, Bradfordville 1^st Baptist and FSU Student Builders.

In January, the Bradfordville 1^st Baptist youth group worked to complete a large handicap ramp at the home of Mary Horn near Havana.  Also in January, Elizabeth Poplar Springs Primitive Baptist volunteers funded and completed interior floor repairs at the home of Susie Green on Alabama Street

Throughout the Spring, volunteers from Good Shepherd, United Church of Tallahassee, FSU Student Builders, and FSU Black Graduate Student Association worked several Saturdays to replace a leaking roof and repair a deck at the home of Lillian Mosely on Bishop Road in Tallahassee.

Finally, the young adult ministry group for Trinity United Methodist braved heat and humidity to build a ramp and complete exterior painting at the home of Linda Andrews near Quincy.  Youth volunteers from Quincy 1^st Baptist Church will complete this project the week of July 26^th.

Thank you to all of our volunteers.  You have truly been a blessing to the lives of the grateful people you have helped.    These and other projects will be dedicated in September as part of the Millard Fuller Legacy Build celebration. 

The TFCH board has also approved several new Greater Blessing Box projects that we will begin work on in the Fall.  If you, your church or organization would like to become involved by helping to fund these projects or by providing volunteers, please contact us at info@tfch.org.

Early in December a group of staff and student volunteers from Cornerstone Learning Community came together to complete long-awaited repairs on the home of Judith Wadsworth and her children. Project leader, Sandy Eggers shares the story of the day below:

 “On Sunday, December 6^th I witnessed a beautiful transformation not only in the exterior improvements of a mobile home but also in the unselfish giving of time, talents and treasures of co-workers, spouses and students.  In a mere six hours on a cold, 40 degree winter day 20 friends gathered to repair a roof, install trailer skirting, clean the exterior of the mobile home, caulk, paint and haul away debris. Working with the Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing, hopefully we were able to keep a family of seven a little warmer and a little happier this holiday season.  Fortunately, the faculty at Cornerstone Learning Community donated money to cover the expenses without having to ask the Fuller Center for assistance. We would like to return in the spring to make a few interior repairs and exterior landscaping.  Thank you to the Fuller Center for establishing this worthwhile program in Tallahassee!”

All thanks goes to the kind folks at Cornerstone for initiating, funding and completing the first phase of this Greater Blessings project.  We know Judith and her family had a brighter Christmas season because of their giving spirit.

Hard times and the economic downturn are nothing new for Mr. and Ms. Thompson.  The elderly couple who are now 83 and 88 years of age, have struggled with many challenges of seroius health problems and impending medical bills, as well as costly medications.  Mr. Thompson, who once could repair and maintain his mobile home, is now mostly bedridden. For years, he could only watch the water spots developing on his ceiling from an unrepaired roof.  The situation had become so concerning that the Medicaid case manager contacted the Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing in a plead for help for this elderly couple.  Fortunately, through the generosity of Dale Tadlock and his dedicated crew, both roofing supplies and skilled labor were donated for replacing rotten wood and putting a new roof on the Thompson’s home.  Mr. and Ms. Thompson now enjoy a safe and dry home and no longer dread rainy days.  We are extremely proud to partner with such a dedicated business who has a history of giving back to the community.

TFCH recently was notified by the Capital Campaign Benevolence Committee of Faith Presbyterian Church that we have been awarded an $8,000 grant.  The funding will be used to repair and rehabilitate three homes under the Greater Blessing Box Program.   We are immensely grateful to Faith Presbyterian for their generosity and confidence, and we look forward to working with them on the three projects when they are formally identified.  More information will be forthcoming on this exciting development in the near future.

Members of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club worked through stifling heat on Saturday, June 20 to repair the mobile home of Mrs. Louise Baker and her son Dell.  The Soldiers replaced rotted sub-flooring and added additional support in two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen.  They also replaced a door screen, caulked windows and sealed a leak in the roof which was the primary source of the water damage to the collapsed floor in the master bedroom. 

The Buffalo Soliders Motor Cycle Club of Tallahassee (http://www.bsmctally.com/) is a non-profit organization comprised of men and women dedicated to the sport of motorcycling and the education of the community in regard to the history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in defending and building our nation.  They are a community-based club dedicated to participating in community events that support schools, youth organizatons and other civic and charitable activities.  The Soliders were certainly true to their mission on July 20!  Club president Michael Monroe tells us the club members enjoyed their day of service and look foward to working on future TFCH projects.  Since several Greater Blessings projects are likely to be approved in the near future, we expect to hear the rumble of those hogs again soon.  Thank you, Soldiers!

A dedicated and tenacious group of volunteers from United Church of Tallahassee spent three Saturdays in June replacing Alice Dixon’s roof.  Alice, who is 87 years old lives in the Chaires area.  Working in 100 degree heat, the UCT volunteers also constructed a new front porch for Alice as well as clearing several years of overgrowth from her yard.  They capped the project off by planting flowers and vegetables for Alice to enjoy.  Recent rains gave the new roof a good test, and it passed with flying colors.  Brenda Popp reports that Alice is thoroughly enjoying sitting on her new porch admiring her rejuvanated yard and soaking up the recent cool evening breezes.  Thanks to the many UCT volunteers who provided their time, energy, talents and good food!  Special recognition must be given to crew-leader Beth Horvath who spent a few hours at the TMH emergency room on June 13 receiving fluids.  Now that’s an example of a true servant’s heart! 

Ms. Alice’s project will be completed later this summer when volunteers will return to make some interior repairs and paint the exterior of the home.  The painting will be done by the riders participating in the Fuller Center Great Bicycle Adventure riders on Friday, August 14. Check back soon for photos of the completed project.

Carol Ryor presents check on behalf of Good Shepherd Ladies Friendship Circle to TFCH president Tom Fackender

We would like to express our gratitude  to the Ladies Friendship Circle of Good Shepherd Catholic Church for their recent generous donation of $5,000.  Their support will allow TCFH to immediately pursue projects to repair and rehabilitate home of people in need in Tallahassee.  Thank you!