Welcome to The Atlanta Fuller Center For Housing, Inc. - Latest Blog Entries

Kirk Lyman-Barner named Director of U.S. Field Operations

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:26:00 -0500

Dear Fuller Center covenant partners,

Glen Barton's death took from us a friend, a partner, and a tremendous asset. Glen knew our covenant partners better than anyone. He was their counselor and guide. Now we look to the future and seek ways to continue the leadership that Glen provided.

Fortunately Glen has had a companion at his side over the years who supported his work and was also a great friend to the Covenant Partners. I'm happy to report that Brenda Barton will continue working with us, providing valuable continuity. She will be joined in that work by another name that is familiar to you all, Kirk Lyman-Barner, who has accepted the position of Director of US Field Operations. Kirk brings a wealth of experience to this position. He founded Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, one of Habitat's most successful rural affiliates, and has worked with The Fuller Center since our founding. He knows how our systems work and will be a great support to you.

Please feel comfortable directing questions to Kirk. He can be reached by phone at 229-924-2900 and by email at kirk@fullercenter.org. You can also contact Brenda as you have in the past.

Please join me in thanking Brenda for her faithfulness to the ministry and her willingness to continue to serve. And join me in prayer for Brenda in this difficult time and for Kirk as he assumes these new responsibilities.

In partnership,

David Snell,
President

$45000 / 3br - Non-profit housing ministry seeks homebuyer (County Line Rd (off Campbellton)

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:58:00 -0500

Open Saturday, July 16, 2 - 4 PM - (Campbellton Road/Niskey Lake/Arlington area, just outside I-285) - The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta, Inc., a non-profit housing ministry started by Millard and Linda Fuller (also Founders of Habitat for Humanity), is seeking a qualified family or individual for this one-story brick home with a one-car carport, 3 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, wonderful, level backyard. House will be fully renovated using donated funds and volunteer labor, including volunteer hours from the homebuyer(s). House will be sold for $45,000 on a NO INTEREST MORTGAGE, which will be a huge savings for the homebuyer. Nice neighborhood of well-kept homes. A qualified buyer for this home will be low income (amount depends on number of members of household), have decent credit, be able to pay a small down payment, and be willing to put in "sweat equity" in lieu of a larger down payment. Home will be sold with owner financing by The Fuller Center. No bank is involved. Preference will be given to people in need of decent housing. During the first year of occupancy of this home, buyer will be under Lease-Purchase and will undergo some homeowner education classes. At the end of the year, home purchase and sale will be finalized. Please remember that this house will be fully renovated and will be in great condition prior to homebuyer moving in. If you are interested in this great opportunity, please contact Dorothea at 404-925-1731 or Jackie at 404-966-9220.

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Millard Fuller Sermon's

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:04:00 -0500

Millard Fuller Sermon - "The Economics of Jesus" Part B

March 25, 1981
Furman University Chapel ("Religion-in-Life" series)
Greenville, S.C.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "God Can Use Everybody" Part A

Aug. 12, 2006
First Presbyterian Church
Sarasota, Fla.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "God Can Use Everybody" Part B

Aug. 12, 2006
First Presbyterian Church
Sarasota, Fla.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Building On Higher Ground" Part A

Nov. 14, 2005
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Gathering
Griffin, Ga.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Building On Higher Ground" Part B

Nov. 14, 2005
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Gathering
Griffin, Ga.

Millard Fuller Sermon - The Millard and Linda Fuller Story

Feb. 24, 2007
Just Faith Community Gathering
Tallahassee, Fla.

Millard Fuller Sermon "Smellin' Good for Jesus"

Dec. 11, 2005
Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Allendale neighborhood
Shreveport, La.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "From Heaven to Earth"

April 20, 2008
Park View Mennonite Church
Harrisonburg, Va.

Millard Fuller Sermon - Shreveport, LA

Sept. 16, 2007
First Baptist Church
Shreveport, La.

Millard Fuller Sermon - "Brightly Shining Houses"

Oct. 23, 2005
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Los Angeles, Calif.

Millard Fuller Sermons

Millard Fuller Sermon - "The Economics of Jesus" Part A

March 25, 1981
Furman University Chapel ("Religion-in-Life" series)
Greenville, S.C.

Atlanta Fuller Center Gave Blessings Thrift Store a $17,000 facelift

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:55:00 -0500

Blessings Thrift Store gets $17,000 facelift

The recent efforts of the Atlanta Fuller Center for Housing, and its community partners, are paying off for Blessings Thrift Store in McDonough.

Posted: 11:55 PM Jul 6, 2010

Atlanta Fuller Center for Housing volunteers work to repair the roof of the Blessings Thrift Store in McDonough.

By Johnny Jackson
jjackson@henryherald.com

The recent efforts of the Atlanta Fuller Center for Housing, and its community partners, are paying off for Blessings Thrift Store in McDonough.

Area residents helped complete repairs around the thrift store at 86 Work Camp Road, late last month. It was part of the Fuller Center’s “McDonough Project.”

The Fuller Center is a faith-based, non-profit organization created in 2005 by the late Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, to provide adequate housing for people in need.

Fuller Center volunteers were joined by members of Wesley Way United Methodist Church’s River of Life youth group in McDonough, who repainted the store’s exterior, and rebuilt its leaky roof.

“Buckets, it was leaking,” said Marjorie Lacy, executive director of Haven House, the not-for-profit beneficiary of the thrift store. Haven House is an area domestic abuse shelter based in McDonough.

Lacy said project organizers from the Fuller Center approached the thrift store about the repairs earlier this summer, after learning about its needs.

“We’re very appreciative of the help,” Lacy said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it at all. The people that came in were wonderful. It was great.”

Lacy said Henry County government supplied labor to help with the roofing and interior carpentry, as well as make drainage repairs.

“We estimate that the total cost of the improvements was approximately $17,000, when you consider replacing all the roofing, fascia boards and soffits, painting the entire building, and replacing the interior ceiling tiles,” said Michael Harris, Henry County’s director of planning and development services.

“We were fortunate to have the Fuller Center and Wesley Way United Methodist Church select this facility as one of the recipients for their volunteer outreach project,” Harris said. “With the Fuller Center providing all of the materials, and Wesley Way providing volunteers to do the work, the county’s investment of a mere $1,000 for miscellaneous supplies went much further than we even imagined,” he said.

Shane Persaud, a project coordinator with the Fuller Center, helped secure discounted rates on building materials. “Atlas Roofing, for example, was able to provide us with high-quality roofing materials and save us even more money,” added Persaud.

The Blessings Thrift Store is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m. To learn more about the Haven House or Blessings Thrift Store, visit www.henryhavenhouse.com, or call (770) 954-9229. For more about The Atlanta Fuller Center for Housing, or to volunteer on a project, visit http://www.atlantafullercenter.org, or call (404) 835-7728.

Congratulations to Linda Fuller and Paul Degelmann on their marriage!

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:36:00 -0500

Linda Fuller Degelmann and Paul Degelmann after Monday's marriage ceremony

Submitted On June 21, 2011
In 1959, Linda Caldwell and Millard Fuller were married.

That same year, Paul Degelmann tied the knot.

On Feb. 3, 2009, Linda lost her husband.

On June 11 of that same year, Paul lost his wife,

Juanine, to cancer.

On Monday, the widow and widower turned their parallel

journeys into a joint one as they were united in matrimony

in a simple ceremony at the Sumter County Courthouse.

“This was a very happy day for Paul and me,” said Linda,

who added that the couple plan to have a “small and

simple” church wedding at a later date.

“Of course we miss our father very much,

but we are so incredibly happy for mom and Paul,”

Faith Fuller said Tuesday. “They're like a young

couple in love. … It's like a second chance for

both of them. They were equally committed to

their spouses for 50 years, and each

had long, loving relationships.

“Neither of them chose to be widowed, they were both

deeply in love and saddened by their loss -- and I

think that commonality helped bring them together.”

Linda, 70, and Paul, 73, plan to continue living in

Americus, and Linda plans to remain actively involved

in furthering The Fuller Center for Housing's mission

to fight poverty housing.

“Linda Fuller is one of the treasures of The Fuller

Center, and we are all delighted that she has found

someone to share her life with,” an excited Fuller

Center President David Snell said. “She assures me

that this won’t affect her role with us (although we

did see a lot less of her during her courtship!) and

Paul has promised his loyal support. This is a joyful

event for all of us here at The Fuller Center for

Housing.”

While daughter Faith acknowledged that the marriage

is an adjustment for those closest to her parents

and who see their names as synonymous with

The Fuller Center for Housing and Habitat for

Humanity, she said the family welcomes Paul

into their lives.

“Of course, my parents, as a couple, were an

institution and had an incredible legacy together,”

Faith said. “But Paul is such a kind and loving

person – he's like a gift to my mom. I truly

could not be happier for them. This is such a

huge blessing for them both.”

“Mom's recruiting for Fuller Center volunteers

has gone to another level!” joked Millard and

Linda's first-born son, Chris. “I am happy my

mother is so happy and in love. Dianne and

I have met Paul, and he is a gentleman and

a scholar. We wish them the best.”

About Paul and Linda:

Paul Degelmann was born and grew up in Chicago.

He received a bachelors degree in Industrial

Design from Chicago Art Institute. Because

of his expertise in developing energy-efficient

lighting, native son and entrepreneur Larry Comer

invited him to join Metalux, which was purchased

by Cooper Industries in 1988.

If one "googles" Paul Degelmann, as Linda did

when they were first getting acquainted, it identifies

him as "inventor". He helped pioneer smaller

florescent lamps and has a number of patents

attributed to him.

Paul and Juanine Degelmann moved to Americus

from Scottsboro, Ala., along with their two

daughters, Shelly and Sandra. Shelly finished

high school at Southland Academy, and Sandra

at Americus High. They make their homes in

Montgomery, Ala., and Vienna, Ga., respectively.

Paul has four grown grandchildren.

Linda and Millard have four children, all of

whom graduated from Americus High School:

Chris, Kim, Faith and Georgia. They and a total

of nine grandchildren live in Macon, Ga.;

Argyle, Texas; Americus, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla.

Fire Station #9 Restoration 6-18-2011

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:07:00 -0500

Saturday, June 18 · 8:00am - 4:00pm

Fire Station #9 Restoration

Adamsville Community, NPU-H
3501 Martin Luther King Drive. NW

Because We Can & Want To

Remembering 9/11/01, this is a way of saying Thank You to those First Responders who serve.

This is also a leadin to our 9/11/01 Memorial Build wherein we are going to seek out a local First Responder who is in need of home repairs and remember those fallen on that fateful day through not just our words but through our actions.

Though this project is not a house, it fits in with our holistic approach of Co...mmunity Improvement & Renewal.

There is a HEAVY emphasis on Green in this Project that you will see the reuse and repurposing of used building materials.

Recycling is good ReUse of building materials is Better.

There are several tasks to do Saturday that you can help with;
1. We're installing kitchen cabinets that were donated to The Fuller Center's 'ReClaim It Store/Warehouse', installing new stainless steel counter tops and doing some interior painting on the kitchen side.

Sally Coulter
2. We're building some gear lockers for the fire fighters out of repurposed metal racks, you can help put those together.
3. We're doing a minor facelift to the front of the Station which will include landscaping, planting, hardscape and accent painting led by HGTV's Kimberly Lacy and we're including use of recycled granite countertops into a walkway to the flag pole. That's Really Cool!!

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Multiple Community Groups, Volunteers & businesses involved thus far;
Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran (Click here for Bio)

Adamsville Community Residents & Association
Charitable Connections
The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta
ReClaim It Atlanta (Fuller Center's Store & Warehouse)
Kimberly Lacy (HGTV, Curb Appeal-The Block)
http://www.fullercenter.org/news/kimberly-lacy-ambassador

Building Design Partnerships
Kauffman Design Services
National Association of The Remodeling Industry / Atlanta Chapter
Perkins+Will
GREENSTONE
ReCentered Peices

Any questions should be directed to Robert Kauffman @ this time.
678-772-9290

Mark Galey is an alternate contact @ 404-867-3258

3M contributes to Kimberly Lacy's Fuller Center build in Haiti

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:01:00 -0500

Submitted On June 17, 2011

Kimberly Lacy, co-host of HGTV's “Curb Appeal: The Block” and an ambassador for The Fuller Center for Housing, has announced a major corporate donation for her September house-building trip to Haiti.

Kimberly Lacy

Lacy is leading a group of African-American women on a Fuller Center trip to build at least five houses in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. The 3M Corporation has agreed to fund the construction of two houses, and additionally has pledged to provide Lacy's team with safety equipment and other supplies.

“Two down, only three more to go!” Lacy said of her goal for the Haiti build. “We really appreciate what 3M has done for us.”

“It is so important to give back,” said Steve Barber, Product Integration Manager at 3M, where Lacy serves as one of the company's 2011 brand ambassadors.

Lacy also said that Scripps Networks, parent company of the popular HGTV television network, has agreed to help raise funds for the Haiti trip through its employee giving program.

“I'm looking forward to it,” Lacy said of the Haiti mission. “I know the situation there is something I can't even imagine. You don't really know what to expect until you actually get there.”

Lacy spoke while en route to Atlanta, where she will participate in Saturday's project with the Fuller Center's Greater Atlanta covenant partner to renovate a fire station in the Adamsville community. Since becoming an ambassador for the Fuller Center for Housing, Lacy has passionately promoted the center's mission to fight poverty housing.

“I love the mission,” Lacy said. “I appreciate being a part of the Fuller Center. You're blessed when your work is something you're passionate about.”

Click here to read more about Kimberly Lacy.

Atlanta Fuller Center First Non-Profit To Acheive Earth Craft Certified Renovation

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:57:00 -0500

The Atlanta Fuller Center is featured on page #16 of the June issue of Atlanta Home Improvement magazine.

http://www.atlantahomeimprovement.com/

People making a difference in McDonough

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:54:00 -0500

Article Courtesty Of Henry County Times©

http://www.henrycountytimes.com/Current%20Pages/feature.htm

Armie Robinson, right, discusses what’s next for the Simpson St. house with fellow volunteer Walter Lee Watson. Watson brings 40 years of construction knowledge to the project.

Photo by Nick Vassy, Henry County Times©

By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor

Betty Thompson spent most of her life cooking for others. For 35 years she worked as a cook at a nursing home in Stockbridge, but as much as she loves to cook for her family and friends, she’s restricted to a small part of her porch due to the condition of disrepair her home has fallen into.

She has lived in her house on Simpson Street in McDonough since she was three years old, and her father left her the property when he passed away. Now, in her mid 60s and unable to work because of a chronic leg condition that relegates her to a walker, Thompson no longer has the funds to do the much needed repairs to the nearly century old house.

Thompson, like much of the country, has been hit hard by economic uncertainty. In fact, she almost lost the house altogether when city inspectors came to inspect the property and deemed it unfit to inhabit. A two-story addition had to be torn down because of severe code violations and now several people, led by local resident, Armie Robinson, have taken up the cause of repairing her home, simply because she needs help.

Robinson was contacted by a good friend, who works for the City of McDonough. He learned of her plight when the friend told him that Thompson’s house was being eyed for demolition. With nowhere to go, he realized that losing her home would be the worst possible scenario for Thompson and decided to rally others to help with the effort of saving the McDonough resident’s home.

Robinson, who owns and operates the Trustus Fish Market on the corner of Racetrack Rd and Highway 42, said that he decided to help, simply because she was a person in need and he was able to do so.

“The way I see it, I may not be a professional carpenter, but my hands work, my back is healthy and I can follow directions,” said Robinson.

Robinson, his brother Ernie and several local police officers and city workers, have spent their own time making the repairs to Thompson’s home, often in the evening or on weekends. She needed electrical work re-done and Robinson was able to enlist a friend, who is an electrician, to do the work.

“My buddy is an electrician and he rewired the house for free and when I met his wife, for the first time, she said she had heard what we are trying to do for Ms. Betty, and she pulled five twenty dollar bills from her purse, and gave it to me to help with the repairs. That kind of shocked me, but that is what has been happening. This lady was a stranger to me, but to do that really left me speechless,” he said.

The work at Thompson’s home is part of a larger effort by Robinson, city workers and city officials, like councilwoman, Sandra Vincent and civic leader Shane Persaud, of the Henry County Fuller Center, to assist neighbors in the community.

Vincent is part of an organization called Piece by Piece, through the Atlanta Regional Commission, whose mission is to help halt foreclosures, stabilize neighborhoods and assist homeowners with code violation issues. She said she would like to see more church and civic group involvement, and wants to enlist young people in the community.

Vincent said she was also able to secure a commitment from Behr Paint to provide an assessment of needs and painting supplies, to assist with the ongoing effort of helping citizens.

“I’m hoping that local ministries and citizens and other organizations will get inspired in this grassroots effort,” said Vincent.

Persaud has been in contact with Thompson and several months ago, led an effort with a group of students from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, to perform cleanup and landscaping work on the property. The Fuller Center has been busy with tornado relief but is expected to play a role in not only Thompson’s house but also in the community effort of helping other senior citizens and those in need.

All of these different people from within the community are coming together to help a neighbor in need, but Robinson said it is bigger than that. It’s not about one person or one house, it’s about people in the same community helping each other, and he hopes that this effort will light a spark to lead other efforts in helping people maintain a quality of life.

As a child, Robinson remembered what it was like to not have much. A New Jersey native, he grew up relatively poor in rural Monroe Township in a ramshackle house out in the country.

“I know what it’s like to live that way. We grew up with very little, five kids in a little shack, rats and roaches. When I grew up, with my job and in my work with the kids, I put people in touch with resources. I want to continue to do that.”

He moved to the city of Trenton at age 21 and started working with the Boys and Girls Club. It was through his work with children that he caught the attention of board members who recommended him for a job with the Trenton Police Department. After twenty-five years in law enforcement in New Jersey and 37 years with the Boys and Girls Club, Robinson retired to McDonough. Even in retirement, he has found plenty to keep him busy.

“It’s not about renovating Miss Betty’s house, it’s about saving it. This could be my mother; this could be anybody’s mother. No one should have to live like that,” said Robinson.

As for Thompson, she is grateful for the help she has received and said she is surprised by how people who were once strangers, have given so much.

Robinson is organizing a work party/cookout to be held on Saturday, June 25 at Thompson’s home at 347 Simpson St. He and other volunteers will set up a smoker and sell barbecue, have a fish fry and provide other food for purchase to help raise money to finish repairing Thompson’s home. It’s also an opportunity for interested individuals or organizations to come out and volunteer to help.

“We need volunteers, for this project and for others. But if you can’t help that way, you can come out and buy a plate or a sandwich and see exactly where your dollars are going to,” said Robinson. “If you’re a carpenter, a painter or just know how to wash windows or cleanup, we need you.”

Robinson said he is also looking for donations of leftover building supplies, such as sheet rock, lumber, insulation and other materials.

“If someone is renovating their house or office and they have old doors or windows that are still in good shape, we can use them.” Eventually, he would like to have a material pool where people doing work in the community can come and take what they need at no cost.

Robinson said that the Simpson Road house has been a huge undertaking and welcomes anyone who wants to help in any way to show up on June 25 and be a part of making things better.

“When this project is over, there will be more. There are still a lot of people in need in the community, and we’ll take it one step at a time,” said Robinson. “These are our neighbors. That’s reason enough.”

For more information about the work party and cookout, contact Armie Robinson at 609-817-3316. Those interested in donating time, money or materials should also contact Robinson or Shane Persaud at 678-699-2308.

Mark Galey Demos Vacant Property Security System Donated for 10 Gould St Renovation

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:01:00 -0500

The Fuller Center of Atlanta’s President, Mark Galey, and Jeff Nix provides a video tour of the Vacant Property Security (VPS) system that was donated to the Fuller Center’s renovation project at 10 Gould Street in Lakewood Heights. Thanks Mark and Jeff for the demo and thanks Vacant Property Security, Inc. for the use of the system on the project.

Green building podcasts | The Fuller Center for Housing

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:41:00 -0500

Listen to these informative Podcasts by Mark Galey

FCH-Atlanta president Mark Galey

The Fuller Center for Housing - Atlanta was the first non-profit in the world to gain EarthCraft certification for a home renovation project. Mark Galey, president of FCH-Atlanta, sat down with us to discuss the many benefits of green building and sustainable renovations, as well as what it means to neighborhoods and communities. Additionally, he offered a few tips for other FCH covenant partners hoping to go green.

http://www.fullercenter.org/green-building-podcasts

4/12/11, Mark Galey: Financial aspects of green building

4/12/11, Mark Galey: Achieving the EarthCraft certification

4/12/11, Mark Galey: Purposeful building and renovating

David Snell Appeal

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:43:00 -0500

Bike Adventure team's van crashes; 4 minor injuries

Submitted On June 08, 2011

A group of eight Fuller Center Bike Adventure participants were en route from Denver to Boise last

The Bike Adventure van and trailer were totaled in the accident

night when a tire exploded on the van they were driving, causing both the vehicle and the attached trailer to swerve and flip upside down.

None of the passengers, who included Tom Weber, Ashley Rae Moore, Michael Tiemeyer, Krystal Goodwin, Ryan Iafigliola, Allen Slabaugh, Scott Umstattd and Alyssa Hostetler, were seriously injured.

The team was on its way to Seattle for the kick-off of the fourth annual Fuller Center Bike Adventure, a 3600-mile journey designed to raise money and awareness for poverty housing.

“Events like this remind us of how quickly life can take a turn,” said Fuller Center President David Snell. “We are profoundly grateful that there were no serious injuries in the accident — the good Lord was watching over them. The riders are committed to continuing the Adventure, raising awareness about the important work of The Fuller Center for Housing. Our prayers will be with them.”

Though no one was seriously injured, each passenger was affected by the accident.

Tom Weber, who at 69 is the oldest member of the team, suffered from a dislocated shoulder. He will return home to Denver, but hopes to rejoin the team later.

Also treated for minor injuries at the Cassia Regional Medical Center in Burley, Idaho were Ashley Rae Moore, and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin.

The couple met during the 2009 Bike Adventure and were married May 20 of this year. This year’s Bike Adventure is their honeymoon.

For Allen Slabaugh, the Bike Adventure team leader, the event was a flashback. On March 2, 2007, Slabaugh was a member of the Bluffton University baseball team whose bus fell from an overpass onto Interstate 75 near Atlanta. Seven people were killed, and seven others were seriously injured in the highly publicized crash.

“That was just four years ago, so that's still somewhat fresh in my mind,” said Slabaugh. “When it started rolling, it felt very similar. Anytime your van rolls, it's scary.

Ryan Iafigliola, the driver of the van, was briefly trapped in the upside-down vehicle before fellow team members were able to free him from the smoldering van.

“With all the damage to the driver's side, for Ryan to be able to make it out was pretty amazing, along with everybody else,” Slabaugh said.

Alyssa Hostetler regroups after the accident

The van and trailer were totaled in the accident, but the bikes are relatively undamaged, as the trailer's door held firm during the crash.

“It was an act of surgery to get the bikes out,” said Scott Umstattd, the team's media coordinator. “It was like a MASH unit setup for the bicycles, like triage.”

“Everyone on the van was calm, cool and collected. And then 10 minutes later, they went into repair mode,” he added.

The team currently is trying to acquire a replacement van and trailer.

Despite this setback, the team is determined to press ahead.

“I asked if anyone else needed to go home, and no one was interested,” Iafigliola said. “I've been in similar situations where everyone was scared and cranky, but I think everybody's handled it with good humor.”'

This dedicated team needs your support now more than ever.

Please consider making a donation to the trip

Visit the Bike Adventure Facebook page to send words of encouragement

Check for updates from the team on the Bike Adventure blog

Meet the Bike Adventure Riders

Posted From TAP

4 volunteers hurt when van crashes during

cross-country trip to raise money for Fuller

Center

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: June 08, 2011 - 12:49 pm

ATLANTA — Four volunteers of a Georgia nonprofit were hurt in a van crash in Idaho as they traveled across the country on a fund-raising trip, officials with the organization said.

The injured volunteers were among a group of eight cyclists who were riding in a van when it crashed Tuesday night near Burley, Idaho, said Chris Johnson, a spokesman for the Americus-based Fuller Center for Housing.

A rear tire on the van blew, and the vehicle landed on its roof, he said.

The injured volunteers — three from Georgia and one from Colorado — were taken by ambulance to a hospital, where they were treated, Johnson said. All four have been released from the hospital, Johnson said Wednesday.

The volunteers are cyclists pedaling a 3,600-mile route from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Fuller Center. The nonprofit builds and repairs homes.

The injured Georgia volunteers were identified by the Fuller Center as Ashley Rae Moore, 22, of Athens; and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin, both 29, of Savannah. Also hurt was Tom Weber, 69, of Colorado, who suffered a dislocated shoulder, officials said.

The van was towing the trailer for the Fuller Center Bike Adventure team.

From President Of Fuller Center:

Yesterday evening, around 5pm Mountain time, our Bike Adventurers were on their way from Denver to Boise on Interstate 84-West when a back tire blew. The van and trailer twisted and swerved and then flipped, landing upside down.

Eight passengers - five men and three women -- were inside. It's a miracle no one was seriously injured. One of the passengers did suffer a dislocated shoulder and the others escaped with minor scrapes and bruises. Unfortunately the van and the trailer are completely totaled, but the team is in good spirits and doing their best to stay on schedule.

Their biggest need at the moment is finding a replacement van. If you know of anyone willing to lend or donate a 12-15 seat van, please let me know right away.

Thank you for keeping the Bike Adventure team in your thoughts and prayers as they regroup and move forward with their nine-week journey from Washington State to Washington D.C. scheduled to kick off this Sunday, June 12th from Seattle.

We are so impressed and grateful for this dedicated group of volunteers who are showing incredible grace, resilience and courage, and thankful to God for protecting them from harm.

For updates, to donate or to send words of encouragement:

You can quickly and easily leave comments on Facebook, Twitter and the Blog listed above. I know it would mean a great deal to the riders to hear from you.

In Christian friendship,

David Snell
President, The Fuller Center for Housing

Proclamation Presentation

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:30:00 -0500

Jackie Goodman, Mark Galey and Dorothea Norman, members of Greater Atlanta Fuller Center, holding Resolution presented minutes before by Atlanta City Council.

HGTV's Kimberly Lacy joins Fuller Center as Ambassador

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:14:00 -0500

Submitted On January 14, 2011
It was announced today that HGTV’s Kimberly Lacy is signing on as an ambassador with The Fuller Center for Housing. Many celebrities merely lend their names to causes, while others like Kimberly Lacy do the hard work in the trenches and become more than just a voice for causes greater than themselves.

Kimberly's commitment to service became clear through her work in Atlanta’s Lakewood Heights neighborhood where The Fuller Center is working to revitalize that community. “When I met her and saw her enthusiasm there was nothing but a genuine flow of love and concern for the homeowners and the overall community. Her heart and working hands spoke for themselves.” - Beverly Black, Director of Donor Development for The Fuller Center for Housing.

"The Fuller Center is actively building or repairing homes in more than 60 communities across the US and 16 countries worldwide. Millions of families around the world are living in deplorable conditions and need our help. There is much to be done. We need as many helping hands and hearts as possible to accomplish the task of getting families into simple decent homes. We are thrilled that Kimberly has come on board to help spread the word about the Fuller Center’s mission near and far.” -David Snell, President The Fuller for Housing

Kimberly is the spunky Co-Host and Project Manager of HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block now in its third season. She is a highly skilled expert paint and design Artisan and operates her own design company “Anatomy of Design.”

Because of her work on HGTV, serving as a volunteer expert project manager with The Fuller Center, and understanding the housing needs of low-income families, Kimberly has risen to The Fuller Center’s call of action which is to provide decent, affordable and safe homes to those in need and provide assistance to those who cannot afford to pay for much needed repairs to their homes.

As an ambassador, Kimberly will participate in building projects across the country, help lead work teams through The Fuller Center’s Global Builders Program, serve as a media spokesperson for both domestic and international events, and participate in disaster rebuilding efforts.

“I am excited about the opportunity not to just renovate or “build up a block,” but to build up entire communities around the world.” -Kimberly Lacy, Ambassador, The Fuller Center for Housing.

For more information about Kimberly, visit www.KimberlyLacy.com

A Solemn Ride To Spaulding County

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 07:46:00 -0500

by Mark Galey

It was a quite, solemn ride to Spalding County just a couple days after the storms to help with the tornado recovery, but it just looked like another ordinary Saturday ride in the country. Having stopped and got my biscuit and coffee, I noticed the boats behind the trucks presumably headed to the lake, the bicycles on the carrier off for a spin, folks setting up their yard sales and others getting ready @ the local flea market. Everybody seemed busy going somewhere, doing something. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

I remember thinking if all these folks even REALLY knew what kind of damage there was just down the road from where they were. I mean we see the snippets and hear the sound-bites on TV and we’re wowed or whatever but did these folks REALLY understand? Did they REALLY know what needs there were just down the road? I even thought did they even care? Certainly if they knew they would do something. Right?

The first set of instructions Millard Fuller ever gave me to share with my friends and colleges of how they can help was these three things:

Help spread the word of The Fuller Center
Help raise donations
Help start other Fuller Centers.

I have learned in the last four years it definitely all begins with spreading the word.

So how do we get out the word about folks like Bobby & Anita Simpson whose home was severely damaged during the storms and need help rebuilding because their insurance coverage lapsed? Oops!! But now what? These working folks still need their home rebuilt. It’s probably going to take $4K or better to purchase the needed materials and some volunteers. Bobby & Anita are going to have get out there with us and rebuild their home along with the volunteers and they’re being asked to donate back what was donated to them into The Greater Blessing Box revolving fund that will help another family in the future in their time of need.

I’m sure we haven’t met who else we’re supposed to help yet but we’ll be led there accordingly. How will those folks like Bobby & Anita know there is help available? How will those folks who are capable of helping and most likely willing to help if only they knew, how can we reach them? How can you help? What about making and delivering sack lunches for the construction volunteers? What about blogging or posting info on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, ect? What about come shoot pictures and/or video and put it up on YouTube with all the links? Do some interviews? Ask some questions. What about reaching out to all your media contacts and ask them to help spread the good word?What about raising donations? Doing the reconstruction? Scouting for other needy families and victims of the tornados? What about contacting local churches, sharing what we’re doing and invite them to join us? Civic Groups? Lumber Yards? Paint Stores?

We plan on starting the reconstruction process on Bobby & Anita’s home May 14^th, we don’t have all the details ironed out yet but we will be updating on all our sources as we have new information. Their home is located @ 5029 Old Atlanta Road, Hampton GA in Spaulding County.

This effort is being channeled through The Henry County Fuller Center for Housing, with The Atlanta Fuller Center is redirecting its energy in collaboration for a time.I’m asking you for your help, find where you fit in, come be involved but just for a day, look in the eyes of the needy, hear their plight, stand where they are, let your heart lead you.

UPDATE: The Henry County Fuller Center has partnered up with other local organizations and volunteers to help Bobby & Anita Simpson rebuild their home that was damaged by the recent tornado that touched down in Sunny Side, Spalding County. This local Covenant Partner is proud to have behind it the support of Fuller Center (Americus) and the Atlanta Fuller Center in this effort.

Please join us on Saturday at the Simpson Residence and help us show our neighbors what it really means to put our FAITH INTO ACTION!

Bobby & Anita Simpson Residence (map)
5029 Old Atlanta Road
Griffin, GA 30223

Ways that you can join the movement and help? Here are a few ways.

What about making and delivering sack lunches for the construction volunteers?
What about blogging or posting info on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc?
What about taking pictures and/or video and posting up on YouTube with all the links?
Do some interviews? Ask some questions. Get to know your neighbors.
What about reaching out to all your media contacts and ask them to help spread the good word?
Help raise donations?
Participate in the reconstruction?
Scouting for other needy families and victims of the tornadoes?
What about contacting local churches, sharing what we’re doing and inviting them to join us? Civic Groups? Lumber Yards? Paint Stores

Mark Galey is the President of the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta, a faith-driven, Christ-centered, non-profit organization that promotes collaborative partnerships with individuals, organizations, corporations and religious groups of all faiths in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need.