FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2002
FY02-51
ORAU Celebrates Completion of Habitat for Humanity House
OAK RIDGE, TENN—Over 100 Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) volunteers gave of both their time and talents over 10 Saturdays to build something that will last a lifetime and open the door to a brighter future for one deserving family—a house.
A Habitat for Humanity house was ceremoniously turned over to Amanda Walters and her two sons at a Dedication Service on Oct. 1. “We were rookies as an organization when this project began,” said ORAU president, Ron Townsend. “We are excited for the Walters family and proud to have been a part of it.”
This community service project was unprecedented in its demands. Volunteers hammered, installed, shingled, insulated, measured, re-measured, shimmed, painted, and planted alongside Walters and her family and friends, sometimes under sweltering or drenching conditions.
“Over all, it was a terrific experience and we all felt tired but proud of our team's accomplishments,” said ORAU manager, Jack Beck, whose group earned the nickname ‘Dirty Dozen’ during their build date.
Construction of the Habitat for Humanity house began in June and ended in August. In addition to volunteer hours donated by employees and their families, ORAU contributed $10,000 toward the cost of building the house.
“I never thought of dry-walling as a way to pass an enjoyable Saturday…but the experience was memorable in the upbeat kind of way that comes from participating in employee-driven efforts to make our world a better place,” said Tom Thomas, a former employee who made a special effort to participate.
The Walters family expects to be moved in to their new residence on at Laurel Road in Clinton by the end of October.
Organizations that assisted in building this Habitat for Humanity house include Our Favorite Carpenters, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, and The Realty Center/Peggy Sells Homes.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of 86 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.