Wisconsin Volunteers in Mission Trip Blog

Red Cliff Reservation - June 2010

2010-08-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

VIM - RED CLIFF RESERVATION – JUNE 2010
Once again the VIM team moved into the elderly center on the Red Cliff Reservation north of Bayfield, Wisconsin the third week of June 2010. The intent was to serve the residents of the community in ways that would improve their quality of life. To that end the group was able to achieve many projects all over the reservation.
The projects included several entry ramps for assistance, repair of decks and steps. Improvement of the interior function of sinks, bathrooms, ceilings, appearance of the home by painting, lots of handicap grab rails and other tasks that were needed in the individual’s homes. The donated labor by the volunteers equaled 945 hours which translates to $14,647.00. It was a very good week.
The native population definitely knows we are there each year and this year the community fed us 4 different meals which is a good way to interact and become better friends. We were also treated to several programs of enlightenment about the native ways. This is always a good way to understand one another. Our relationship with the Red Cliff Reservation and community has gone on for 11 years now and has been positive for both the native community and the VIM community.
For the over 30 registered work campers which was a combination of youth and adults the twice daily devotions were meaningful as well as the interaction with the rest of the community. After the week ended there were several new friendships formed and many will continue for the years to come. All go home feeling that they were served and not the reverse. We have an awesome God.

U M Children's Services and Transitional Living Program 2009

2010-08-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION – UM CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM

The hot August weather (August 2 – 6, 2010) did not melt the spirits of our hard-working group at the United Methodist Children’s Services during the week of August 2-6. The work this year was varied and gave most of us the chance to be indoors and outdoors. Most of our projects included the satisfaction of “before and after”—we could see completed results.
Some of our group completed the interior painting of the office area in the original building. Others put a double coat of paint on the big garage in the parking lot. The trim work carried over to several doors around the building, as the brown paint can seemed to last like the miracle of the jug of oil! Many of our group put a lot of sweat equity into the tearing up of old bushes, bulbs and weeds around the raised beds of the building. When they finished mulching the areas they cleaned out, the result was a whole new, sharp look. The landscaping around the new building was completed by another team laying truckloads of mulch. This group also set large stones in place around the parking area. A few of our group did more detailed carpentry with building dividers for the resource center and repairing windows.
Finally, there was the project that we left undone—the basement full of flood damaged donations. The basement in the new building has the floor space of a gymnasium. Hundreds of bags of clothing and boxes of household items had to be sorted and washed because of recent flooding. Two new washers and dryers were set up and the group ran those machines for hours each day, but the tide of clothing was bottlenecked by the speed of the machines. Even so, by the end of the week, many items were hung and many boxes were sorted to make items ready for distribution in the resource center. This resource center has become the largest in the Milwaukee area serving over 50,000 people last year.
Surrounding these hours of work were many hours spent eating together and sharing devotions and songs. Our time at the Community Church in Elm Grove was comfortable and relaxing. Church members treated us to delicious, home-cooked dinners for three nights. We were blessed by a communion and worship service on one night. The church became our temporary “home”, and we felt so welcome there.
Best of all, the week was about relationships. Our group included youth and adults from several churches, so there were new people to meet, a great sense of working side by side, and a lot of fun and games during our down time. The leaders at UMCS and all their staff made our group of volunteers a high priority during our week. They told us all about the miracles that happen there, and helped us to feel like a vital part of a very exciting ministry.

Mt. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center, Fayetteville, Ark

2010-04-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Mt. Sequoyah U.M. Conference & Retreat Center – Fayetteville, Arkansas

March 15-25, 2010
Leaders: Vince and Carol Ramsden; Richard & Kathy Hutchison
Team: 59 Members and Bus Driver, Jerry Hermann
(43 came by bus; 17 drove, mostly in pairs...1 in single, 4 in one truck
bringing VIM trailer and 3 passengers

Rich and Kathy Hutchison arrived on Saturday, March 13 to begin room assignments and job assessments. They met with directors, Dr. John and Sheri Altland, and maintenance supervisor, Kathy Boone. There was a multi-generational work group on site that week-end doing “spring clean-up” and had begun with some painting of railings and 'tear-off' of a roof. Some of our work would depend upon how far this group went and how far they were able to get toward completion.

The Hutchisons were able to change the minds of the site directors as to the housing arrangements, putting the group in Yancy Hall instead of Parker, which is less accessible for those with mobility issues.

There were a number of the 'drivers' who arrived early and decided to begin working on Monday and Tuesday, especially on the roofing of the Sunrise House (a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, single story home). The bus arrived on Tuesday at 1:00 P.M.. After getting room assignments and getting unpacked, the group went right to work! One group headed to the Martin Chapel and began set-up for tearing out the ceilings in 2 of the 4 rooms needing to be done. This involved clearing out furniture, removing lighting fixtures, and laying down tarps. A second group immediately began working on the roof of Sunrise House, pulling nails and cleaning the surface. A third group began setting up a sewing area in half of the cafeteria. A 4th group starting working on flower beds.

On the first evening, we drew prayer partners. Rich received his first “we need....” list! Everyone is loving the warmer-than-Wisconsin weather and seeing the daffodils in bloom. Most of us, however, are still wearing a warm jacket! Later on in the week, we learned it was warmer in Wisconsin than in Arkansas! We had a very successful first day.

Work continued in this manner until we took our week-end break in Branson, MO, a 100 mile drive.

We stayed at Savannah House Hotel, a very comfortable and gracious place to stay.(Good job, Vince!)

We attended 3 shows, which were well-received by the group. Though it rained most of the time we were in Branson, it was not as bad as what Fayetteville was getting....13” of snow! Sunday afternoon, as we were preparing to go into the 3rd show, we received a call from Mt. Sequoyah advising us to stay in Branson until Monday since they felt that the bus would be unable to 'climb the mountain', and the State Patrol was advising everyone to stay off the roads. This involved canceling reservations at a Fayetteville restaurant, finding and scheduling reservations at another and securing housing for another night. We were able to return to Savannah House (too bad we had moved out first, eh?) and to find restaurants on short notice.

We returned to Mt. Sequoyah by 1:00 on Monday. People went right to work, shoveling snow off of roofs to be tar-papered and shingled. Recently raked flower beds were covered with a foot of snow. Painters went back to scraping outdoor railings, the air being fairly warm. Electricians went to indoor work, sewing crew picked up where they'd left off, and the Martin Chapel crew went back to ceiling work and painting outside trim. Though we were shorted a half day of work time, we were able to do the following:

Roofing:
-Tear-off, clean-up, then shingling of 3 buildings (Sunrise House, Willson Cabin, Edwards Cabin), and evaluating and patching the flat roof on 4-story Wesley Hall

Martin Chapel and Classrooms:
Exterior scraping, priming, and painting of (approx. 8' x 300') walkway ceiling & eaves, and (approx. 3' x 400') eaves and trim on the backside, ends and peaks.
Interior ceiling tear-outs (tiles and staples) and removal of lighting in 4 classrooms ( 25' x 35' each)
Interior installation of moisture barrier and sheet rock, followed by 3 coats mudding and sanding
Removal, cleaning, scraping, painting and re-installation of walkway lighting fixtures (8 fixtures)
Repair of ceiling in janitor closet (sheet rock and mudding)

Sewing crew
dis-assembled long curtains, to be made over into dust ruffles for beds
designed pattern for dust ruffles (style, distance from floor, etc.)
measured each bed, cut sheeting to specifications, attached measured (curtain) ruffle
made and installed 26 bed ruffles on beds in Yancy Hall, Campbell (4 rooms) and 4 more

Electricians
installation of dusk-to-dawn light on Millar Hall
removed and installed carriage light near Young House after running new underground wiring
removed, cleaned and reinstalled numerous ceiling fans in Yancy
replaced broken outlets in numerous buildings
worked on electrical problems/fixes in 10 locations

Carpenters
repaired 4 access doors
replaced 1 access door
built a ramp for dumpster access
hung and trimmed out 4 doors at Sunrise House
replaced soffit on building 19
replaced some damaged siding on Sunrise and a staff house

Painters (besides the Martin Chapel painters)
scraped and painted railings at Wesley, Office, Bailey (very long back railing and another long railing alongside Bailey) handicapped access railing
safety painted edge along curbs and steps (cafeteria, office, Edwards, Parker, etc.)

Landscapers
filled in holes where tree stumps had been removed
trimmed bushes around Parker, Young, and various other sites, hauling brush etc. all the way across campus to the burn pile
hauled and added wood chips to paths (also hauled from the other side of campus!)
raked, raked, raked, raked, raked!
Cleaned out flower beds
Trimmed storm-damaged trees

General
remove all curtains and all hardware from all the windows in 3-story Wesley Hall, then fold curtains and sort the hardware
clean and dust all windowsills and rooms in Wesley Hall in preparation for new curtains
- repaired ceiling in 3rd floor Wesley (tear out drywall, install new; taped & mudded)

Flooring
in Thorne's residence, move furniture (room to room), lay underlayment, followed by gluing down cork “tile” squares

Kitchen CrewBegin by cleaning kitchen of grease~!
Menu-plan for 18 meals and 12 healthy snacks for 60+ people
NOTE: Staff managed to bring cost per meal down to less than $2 per meal! Bravo!
(P.S. We ate very 'healthy' and very well! )

We had an excellent team that worked well together as well as accomplishing the tasks set before them. There were a number who have led teams and are basically 'self-starters'. Many of the VIM had been to Mt. Sequoyah on one of the previous trips and felt a certain attachment to the site. The on-site staff was completely changed from any of the previous 3 trips there, but warmed to us quickly. We have made believers in the Wisconsin VIM teams! The staff was very pleased not only with the quantity of work that was accomplished, but also the quality. We were blessed to have been chosen to lead this group.

In totaling the hours worked, the average was 42 hours x 59 people = 2478 man-hours of labor.
(Minimum hours listed was 32. Most, was 80)

This report is respectfully submitted by Kathy & Rich Hutchison.

PROJECT EXTEND, ATLANTA, GA

2010-04-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Project Extend, Atlanta GA January 2 -10 2010

Going down south hoping to be warmer in January was not the case this year for 30 VIMers in Atlanta. We returned for a 2nd year to this great city to work for Project Extend, an organization that helps the elderly citizens of Atlanta with home repairs so they may continue to live in them.
Our host church was again Zoar United Methodist in Snellville GA, with our wonderful coordinators Terry and Sue Raymond. They are very active, to say the least, with Project Extend.
We worked on 4 homes while in the Atlanta area.
Home 1; needed a bedroom ceiling replaced, taped, mudded, and painted.
Home 2; Floors leveled, kitchen cabinets repaired, and other minor repairs and paint.
Home 3; New vinyl flooring in bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, hallway, and utility room. Of course there is the rotten sub floor and joists to contend with. Screens repaired and replaced. A new door put on, plus all the trim and finish that goes with it. Even helped the homeowner with her bible study lesson.
Home 4; This is the home the pictures are of. Removed and replaced exterior kitchen wall (14ft wide) and repaired rotted floor structure. Rebuilt front porch to support new roof. Built raftered roof over 2 flat roofs and shingled. Sheeting and siding on new walls. Removed and replaced roofing on existing roof. Replaced 4 windows. Dry walled new kitchen wall. Repainted most of the interior of the house. All this and more in 4 ½ days. Extreme makeover has nothing on VIM. We even show up in a bus.
We had a great bus driver from Southwest Bus Lines. Mark was just one of the group. He stayed, prayed, ate, and worked with us all week. Plus got us safely to and from Atlanta and the worksites.
It even snowed a couple inches on the last day, just for us Wisconsinites.

VIM Central Care Mission, Orlando, Fla.

2010-03-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

VIM ORLANDO
CENTRAL CARE MISSIONFebruary 13-26
A group of 26 energetic Volunteers greeted the residents of Central Care Mission (a homeless shelter) to the sounds of hammers, scrappers, ladders, and saws early on our morning of arrival and 7 workdays later said farewell to a group of gracious hosts. We accomplished 30 separate tasks, some large and some small, but all worthwhile. Central Care Mission was looking very nice after the work was done. We painted the entire outside of the building, the trim, doorways and eaves. We built a kitchen wall and a mop basin that an artist would have been proud of. We tore out two old floors and replaced them with a sub-floor and a floating wood floor that was as aesthetic as it was practical. There were numerous repairs ranging from replacing a gable to repairing a fence line and toilets and urinals. Leaks were repaired, windows restored, and the entire structure cleaned. Not only were we able to do this but we were humblied blessed to assist in feeding about 175 homeless individuals to a breakfast. As always we returned having grown spiritually as we served; we were served.

Camp Mekokiko - Hawaii

2010-02-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Camp Mekokiko – Hawaii VIM trip
January 19 to February 3,2010

We flew out of Milwaukee, to Minneapolis, to Honolulu, to our final destination of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. With our flight out of Minneapolis being delayed and flying into strong head winds, we were late for our connecting flight to Hilo. However, the flight was held for us and we arrived in Hilo about 1 hour before our luggage, but just in time to meet the members of the Hilo UMC for a soup and salad meal at the church.
We stayed at the Wild Ginger Inn (a hostel) for the first night. Our breakfast Wednesday morning was apart of the room cost. After breakfast we shopped for groceries, ate lunch, and headed up to Camp Mekokiko. The camp is located about 1 hour north of Hilo, on the slopes of Mauna Kae, at an elevation of about 1800 feet. When we arrived we unloaded our food and luggage and moved into the lodge. After setting up our cots we toured the camp to see what work projects there were for us to do, it was decided that we would work on finishing the pavilion at the tent sites and landscape the area.
The landscaping required the cutting and chipping of guava, digging out stumps, cutting weeds, and filling all holes. The pavilion required the finishing of the installation of the metal roofing, ceiling, exterior sheeting (with backer board) of upper level, cement board in the showers, installing hurricane straps, scraping down block walls, some framing, caulking, and painting of the walls, ceiling, and beams.
Hawaii state building codes require a licensed plumber and electrician to do all plumbing and electrical work. Since the plumbing had not been pressure tested, the walls could not be completely enclosed, and the tiling of the showers could not be done.
Our team was able to finish the landscaping of the 4 tent sites and to finish the roofing, ceiling, framing, backer board sheeting, cement board (except on walls were plumbing needs inspection), hanging of doors, caulking, and painting that needed to be done on the pavilion.
Plumbing, electrical, and tiling needs to be completed before the sites can be used. We would expect to see this happen within the next 2 months. When this happens, the camp will be able to expand it offerings to the area and start earning some money.
There is still much to do at Camp Mekokiko. There are 3 duplex cabins, a second tenting site similar to the one we worked on, 2 large bunk houses, a large conference center, a chapel, a fale, an amphitheater, a foot bridge, and 2 twenty thousand gallon water storage tanks. All this will need to be finished or at least started by 2012. They have a very large task in front of them and are still in need of as much help as they can get.
Another important part of this trip is the connectional aspect of the United Methodist Church and the people we were able to meet. We had a very warm reception at the airport from the Hilo church and their members. They invited us to dinner at the Hilo UMC that night. We were also invited to a pot luck at Honoka'a UMC on Thursday, and a dinner at Sandy and Joe McCleskey's home with other church members near the end of our stay. There was a "Big Island Work Day" that gave us a chance to work at the camp with local church members. As we wore our pins out into the communities, we had many people ask questions about our group and what we were doing, giving us the opportunity to share the story.
We left the Big Island early Monday morning, February 1. We flew into Honolulu to pick up our flight home on Tuesday. We landed in Milwaukee about 8:00 Wednesday morning.
I feel that the trip was very successful.
Report submitted by: James Houwers, team leader

Oakville, Iowa VIM

2009-10-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

From October 11 - 16, 2009 there were 37 VIM volunteers in Oakville, Iowa for the fall 2009 VIM trip. This was for flood repair resulting in 2008. This community of 400 was devastated and only around 200 are back in their homes so far.
The workers made a significant contribution to the repairs in progress and it appears that there is much to be done yet. The community hosted a noon meal for anyone in town every day and what a treat that was to be fed and fellowship with the community. A return trip is likely and any help from the public is greatly appreciated. The recovery is a cooperative effort of the churches in the area mainly the host UM Church and the Apostolic Church in partnership with the national agency of that church.
The trip specifics are as follows - money contributions $3442.38; donated labor - 1173 hours for $18,181.50 value; expenses $2877.62.
This was a very rewarding VIM trip as much work was done and much personal growth and community fellowship was felt by the group. There were many repeat work campers in attendance. Pictures will follow - deep checking.

UM Church Camp Lucerne

2009-10-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

October 4-9, 2009
Our VIM trip to Lucerne began with Sunday supper assembled by volunteers at the Ridgewood Retreat Center. After the meal we discussed the work to be done during the week, prioritizing and assigning it as we got to know the skills and interests of the volunteers.
Some of the work completed during our week included; power washing and staining the shower house, moving bunks and boats to shelter, cleaning and closing cabins, cutting dead trees near power lines and buildings and making/hauling fire wood. The Goldfinch cabin received upgraded windows, doors, wiring and insulation. Part of the interior paneling was completed at Goldfinch and Whippoorwill cabins. The landscaping around the Giese dining hall was ridded of invasive species, seeded and mulched. A basketball back board was scraped and repainted. One of 3 garage doors in the shop was closed in and another door replaced. Friday branches and brush trimmed along the roads were chipped.
We had only one rainy day and found plenty to do every day as we practice our flexibility. Our group took joy from our beautiful surroundings and good fellowship and felt fulfilled at completing nearly all the tasks set for us.

Bishop VIM goes to UMCSTLP - Milwaukee

2009-10-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

On July 6 - 10, 2009 the Wisconsin Conference Bishop Lee went to United Methodist Children's Services and Transitional Living Program in Milwaukee for a VIM work camp with the extended cabinet. This was led by Jeff Cupery and included 16 adults for 3 days of assistance at the facility. There were many varied tasks done and the agency is now more on the minds of those at the conference office. While housed at Kenwood UMC the group had devotions twice a day and for this group of pastors that proved to be eventful.
The summary of the trip is as follows - Money contributions to the hosts $1085; donated labor
$5950.; trip expenses $390.
Next summer the Bishops extended cabinet VIM trip is planned to the Bad River Reservation at Odanah which is near Ashland, Wisconsin. That will be September 20 - 27, 2010.

U M Children's Services and Transitional Living Program 2009

2009-09-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM

VIM – AUGUST 10 – 14, 2009

Registrations - $1525.00

Expenses –
Community United Methodist Church - $100.00

Groceries - $360.00 (low figure thanks to the 3 meals served to us by the church members without charge)

Materials purchased – screws, lumber, misc. - $65.00

Donation to UMCSTLP - $1000.00 + $1100.00 = $2100.00 (see below)

There was also a donation of $1100.00 given to UMCSTLP from left over registration funds from the Red Cliff Reservation VIM work camp in June along with this above donation. That total donation was $2100.00 and they were very happy as their financial demands are huge.

Hours of volunteer labor during the 5 work days = 478.

Value of donated labor calculated at $15.50/hour = $7409.00

Thanks to everyone for their part in this successful VIM trip.

Bruce Koch

Cedar Rapids VIM 2008

2009-09-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

FLOOD RECOVERY in IOWA 2008

In November 2008 twenty-two volunteers from Wisconsin VIM went to the Cedar Rapids , Iowa area to help with FLOOD RECOVERY.

That area of Iowa had a huge flood in June 2008. Our trip to New Orleans was re-routed to Iowa due to its closeness to Wisconsin and high fuel prices to travel to New Orleans . We slept in the United Methodist Church in Marion , Iowa . We cooked our own breakfast and supper at the church. We had lunch on the worksite every day. We went a few blocks away to shower each night at a local middle school. The weather was unseasonally warm as we began our week’s work. On Friday we were working in snow showers.

We all worked on finishing projects at one home in Palo , Iowa , for two days. Projects were replacing OSB walls in the garage, replacing drywall in the lower level of the home, changing two overhead garage doors into a wall with four windows, adding insulation, replacing wiring, mudding the drywall, and hanging a sink.

Part of our crew moved on Wednesday to a home about six blocks away to begin insulation replacement, fixing joists, and drywall installation.

A few other crew members moved into Cedar Rapids to do some finishing work left by crews of the week before.

By the end of the week we had done many things. Each day we were tired. Each night we had supper and devotions together.

Another trip is planned for October 11-16, 2009, to Cedar Rapids , Iowa .

Red Cliff Reservation Summer 2009

2009-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

The VIM work camp trip to the Red Cliff Reservation near Bayfield , Wisconsin was another good one. We have been to the Reservation about 8 years now and have made some great friends both in the group of work camp attendees and at the reservation homes at which we have worked.

Because of the donation of love and labor to the Red Cliff Reservation residents by the VIM work campers during this week during the dates June 22-26, 2009.

The resources of the group allowed the following programs to be given assistance financially - the early childhood program, fund for repair and remodeling residences, fund for language preservation, fund for elderly outings, and a donation toward the ice rink to be built.

There was about $12300. worht of donated labor during the week as listed below.

Donald Basina new steps, a railing on his porch, a stone walkway to his parking area so he does not have to slide down in the slippery dirt. He has mobility problems so he is happy to have his new grab rails in the bathroom.

Martin Gordon has a garage door entry door that closes properly.

Betty and Bruce Johnson have clean walls and a coat of fresh paint in their mobile home.

Annie Defoe has a rear door that will close and lock hopefully keeping the bear out and her safe from intruders. Plus her steps to get in are stable now.

Amanda Peterson has a long ramp so her step grandfather – Roger Basina can get into the house with his electric wheel chair. He is now going to live with Amanda and her children.

Vicki and Harold Leaske have a new kitchen window.

Leo LaFernier and his wife have rain gutters and downspouts that don’t leak and drop on the sidewalk in the winter (hopefully!).

Teresa LaFernier who was having surgery when we were there has new ramp to get into her house with out a real hassle.

Bob Chelberg, a nice tribal elder who has major health issues was the recipient of an entire weeks work by several workers and now has a new overhang above his front entrance so it will not be slippery, new gable ends on his home, new paint or stain on the siding of his home and shed next to his house.

Earl Gordon has a house with finished siding on the gable ends after several years of not being completed.

Ben Gordon has had his deck and porch repaired and given a fresh coat of stain.

Joyce Livingston has a ramp lowered so she can get up and down it now. It was too steep before. Plus, she has a much less drafty porch enclosure due to the crack closing and leak proofing done. While there the workers repaired her front porch.

Veronica (Babe) Newago now has ramp that isn’t unsafe and has no step in it.

In addition to that a group installed grab bars in 11 homes on the reservation.

That adds up to one whole lot of work. Thanks to each and everyone who helped by coming and giving of your time. During this week you were truly God’s willing servants.

2009-05-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well this will be a regularly or irregularly changing site as the VIM trips are conducted the participants will post their memories, photos or information from them for all to see and enjoy.

Remember to register so you can be alerted about any additions or postings on the site.

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Lets keep in touch.

In His Service - Bruce Koch

Welcome!

2009-04-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Wisconsin Volunteers in Mission Trip Blog!

In here you will find stories and pictures about past Wisconsin VIM trips.

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