On Saturday, over 30 Democrats and friends helped build a house for a Sacramento family. When the team arrived, they found an empty lot, with only a concrete foundation and piles of lumber that would soon become the walls of a home. By the end of the day, the structure of a home had replaced the empty lot. Event organizer, James Schwab said, "We helped to build a house but we also built friendships and relationships that will help us build a better Sacramento in the future."

The cold, foggy morning did not dampen the volunteers' spirits. After touring a recently completed nearby home, the team received instructions from site supervisor, Terry Hardin and set to work building a new, LEED certified home.

The first step was to remove the forms from the foundation. With hammers, crowbars and an eagerness to unleash a small amount of productive destruction, the sounds of wood cracking and forceful exertion could be heard from the job site. Once the wood was removed and piled neatly in the back, the team drilled holes in the base of the walls, so they could be bolted to the foundation.

The next step was to attach foam to the bottom of the walls and spread a paste along the foundation, adding additional insulation to the house and ensuring LEED compliance. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system promises that certified buildings will save energy and be sustainabie. The house the DPSC worked on will be LEED Gold certified.

Finally, the team was ready to raise the walls into place. Six or eight workers lined up to lift the walls and drop them onto the bolts. With such a large team of workers, the house was framed quickly and the team soon had to carefully walk new walls through fully formed hallways to their destination.

As the sun burned through the fog, the team enjoyed a well-earned lunch of pizza and Ethiopian dishes. Volunteer Naomi Amaha, a Young Democrat, said, “It was a moving experience to have been a part of providing a hardworking family with a new home and a new life. I was touched to work side by side with women who will soon see their own dreams for a home for their families fulfilled.”

A Grateful Family

The house is being built for Mrs. Belaynesh Feleke and her family. She has a young son and is expecting another child soon. She is excited that her children will grow up in a safe, comfortable home in Sacramento.

The Ethiopian immigrant was touched when she learned that the team working to build her home was volunteers. DPSC Community Outreach Chair, Silvia Landers, herself a Bolivian immigrant, reflected on the conversation they shared, “We agreed that we are truly lucky to be enjoying the blessings and opportunities that America offers. One of the very best things about America is the spirit of service, our great willingness to come together to help our friends, our neighbors, our community and people that we have not even met.”

Candidates Join In

DPSC Treasurer and candidate for the Board of Equalization, Chris Parker was among the first to arrive. He lifted and carried the lumber that would soon frame the house. Steven Buhrman, representing Dr. Ami Bera, a candidate for Congress in District 3, also joined in the efforts.

In addition , Ryan Chin, candidate for City Council in District 7, Dr. Richard Pan, a candidate for Assembly in District 5 and Cortez Quin, a Los Rios School Board Member and representative of Roger Dickinson, County Supervisor and candidate for Assembly in District 9 were there to lend moral support.

"Seeing the members of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County and Sacramento County Young Democrats at the Habitat for Humanity build demonstrates to me the importance of volunteerism to develop a community and reminds me why I am proud to a Democrat," said Chin. "Helping Habitat for Humanity is helping to fulfill the need to provide affordable housing, develop overlooked in-fill projects and create a sense of pride and community."

A Season of Hope

The Democratic Party is working to fulfill the holidy wish lists of certain organizations that have been hit hard by budget cuts and have seen an increase in need: Michael J. Castori Elementary School, My Sister's House, Safe Ground and the Sacramento and Elk Grove Food Banks. Interested individuals can donate here to help organizations that empower, educate and feed our community. Canned food, gently used clothes and school supplies can be delivered to the DPSC headquarters at 2729 P St, Sacramento, Monday through Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2.

Photos courtesy of:
Cliff Popejoy (c) 2009 / cap2053@sbcglobal.net
and Silvia Landers