Framing Hope: Thank You, Shallowford Presbyterian Church!
What a difference a week makes! When we last visited this home, only a few walls had gone up. But on Saturday, May 31st, thanks to the help of volunteers from Shallowford Presbyterian Church, the entire first floor was framed—and the energy on site was just as strong as the build itself.
The morning kicked off with safety lessons and tool demonstrations to get everyone ready for a hands-on day. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: hammer time. And if you’ve ever thought swinging a hammer was easy, think again! There’s actually a bit of an art to it. Bobby, our fearless site leader, explained that in the construction world, driving a nail in 3–4 swings is the gold standard—and that became the day’s first challenge.
We couldn’t help but chuckle when a few of the men subtly stepped back during the demo (yes, we noticed!), but Bobby quickly reeled them in. What followed was a whole lot of determination, laughter, and genuine effort as the volunteers took on the hammer challenge with gusto.
Next up: sheathing—a task that’s more technical than it looks. Volunteers learned the difference between the front and back surfaces, how to align each sheet to the studs, and why overhang and nail placement matter.
Bobby emphasized the importance of nailing into the studs the first time. Too many misses, and the whole wall could fail inspection. It was impressive to watch Shallowford’s crew rise to the occasion and get it right.
What we thought would be a full day of work wrapped up by noon, thanks to everyone’s hard work. As the final nails were hammered in, we looked around and saw it: the unmistakable look of satisfaction and pride on every face.
Before heading out, each volunteer had the chance to write their name and a blessing on the wooden studs—leaving behind more than just construction, but a legacy of love.
Thank you, Shallowford Presbyterian Church, for your enthusiasm, heart, and willingness to get your hands dirty. We’re deeply grateful—and we can’t wait to partner with you again.
Would you like to go one step further?
Consider making a small donation toward the completion of this home. Every dollar brings us closer to providing a safe, stable place for a family in need.
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