by Aritee Bond, IOCC HQ Staffer
My bags packed, I’m off to the airport for an IOCC home build in Houston—praying all the way that I can be of service this week.
First day onsite, I learned about the homeowner we’d be helping: I’ll call her Susan. She’d lived in her home for 30 years with her husband, raising five children who are grown now with kids of their own. Her husband had passed, so she was alone when Hurricane Harvey hit. With three feet of water in the house, Susan was rescued by boat just minutes before her roof caved in.
That week in Houston, we were there to help Susan. IOCC volunteers from across the US and a fabulous team leader from partner org Team Rubicon took to chop saws, nail guns, paint buckets, and sanders. We worked steadily and enthusiastically for four days.
Each night that week, after a day of hard work, I thought about Susan. Where many of us can pay for the removal of sludge, mold, and mud from our homes, or we can hire someone to fix a roof, rebuild walls, and make a home livable again, that wasn’t an option for Susan. But we could do all that for her—and, with God’s help and through IOCC, we did. Afterward, with floors laid, doors installed, and everything painted, Susan’s disaster was starting to look like a safe and beautiful home again.
As for me, I’m back to my own home and job and business as usual, but my heart is full. Helping a perfect stranger get back into her home was a life changer. I believe that as people we’re responsible for one another. Giving “of” yourself is different from giving “from” yourself. Both are important if we are to improve the lives of people who need help. The donation of money is essential, and so is giving time, love, and labor.
This is what IOCC means. This is what IOOC does. It’s an honor to do this work.
Will you join us?
