An Amazing Week Comes to an End!!

Friday was our last work day. The day started out quite dreary. It was dark and pouring rain. We reported on-time the meeting place for all volunteers and were told that we would all be focused on indoor work until it cleared. We all headed to our houses and painted, hung doors, installed cabinets and cleaned up. At lunch the Salvation Army served us lunch (as they had every day before that). Lunch was hot dogs, burgers or shrimp. There was tons of shrimp. Every person got at least a pound and could have returned for more. It was their special way of thanking us for a job well done.

At 4 pm there was a house dedication for all 10 of the homes that were built. It was AMAZING!!! All 10 home owners were single women - most, if not all, mothers. At one point during the presentation they had the opportunity to speak and each shared heartfelt and teary expressions of their appreciation for their home and the many, many hours that went into building the homes. The volunteers also had an opportunity to share any thoughts / expressions and many did. Additionally, one of the oldest residents of that development shared and brought many in the crowd to tears. We all went to our respective homes and did a smaller / more personal dedication ceremony with our respective homeowners. After a bunch of hugs and pictures we headed back to Lagniappe for our last over night at the camp. Many volunteers went to New Orleans for some socializing Friday night and we will all head to the airport in the next few hours for our return trips to the Philadelphia area or London or Dublin.

This was my fourth time on this trip and each time I'm amazed at how powerful the experience is and how much we, as volunteers, walk away with. We truly get more than we give during these weeks of service. It means so much to give back and our volunteers are incredible living demonstrations of what it means to be charitable. The SEI volunteers bonded during the week and lots of friendships were started and rekindled.

I hope our other bloggers share their experiences and thoughts in the coming days as well. Check back!!!