House of Love Project
House of Love Project
How do I even begin to put into words the true miracles that have blessed the Assumption community as well as our very own Pelzer family? I will attempt to articulate the feelings of those incredible ten days...
It all started with Mr. Campbell and I attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Empire Homes main complex behind our school. The Pelzer family was chosen to be part of the Habitat for Humanity program. Amber spoke at the ceremony about the angels that surround her. She knew deeply that she and her family, through years of struggle, have always been blessed. On the short ride home I told Mr. Campbell that I felt we, as a school community, had to do something to help. Not ten steps in our front door I saw Ms. Arlene Cass (Head of Guidance) and told her my crazy idea! She immediately jumped on board with even more enthusiasm. I suggested that maybe the kids could ‘adopt’ the kids room and completely decorate and furnish them. She said immediately that maybe the staff could take on mom and dads room. Bing! Bam! Boom! We were sitting in the final staff meeting of the year and we brought the dream forward. Teachers so generously jumped on board.
Next came the summer months with lots of meeting with Mark Rogers (head of Habitat for Humanity). We knew our project had to be separate from theirs. We did what we did in their house because they were our own Lions. Future Habitat homes will not be furnished or finished the way this one was. This was the first time in the history of Habitat International that a project like this received the go ahead!
Next came the students signing up (over 350) to put manual labour into the house. Then came the over four thousand dollars they donated on two ‘pass the hat’ days. Then came the nightmarish scheduling and permission forms for so many students and staff. Every night for ten days, from 3:30 p.m until 12:30 a.m. staff and students donated time doing everything from painting and sanding to laying sod!
I have never, in 15 years of chaplaincy, been witness to a community come together. Every soul that walked into that house worked and gave generously from their hearts. No matter the task, they did it freely and lovingly. At the beginning and the end of every shift, we prayed. At the big reveal we prayed. This house of love, was nothing short of God’s love shining bright in a darkened world. For ten days, every person who came through that house, felt hope and joy like never before.
The rush was on to finish four bedrooms (and eventually two bathrooms a kitchen/dining room and a special place for dad). Staff and students were no only doing physical labour, but also some ground work, getting donations and stuff for the house. In no time items began to appear: tables and chairs (Dali Furniture), beds (some from Sleep’ N Comfort and mom and dad’s from Liquidation Word) and brand new mattress (all courtesy of Sleep Country), couch (Smitty’s in Cambridge) and chairs (Wal-Mart). Hard wood floors went in (courtesy of Bell City Carpet 1 and Compass) and carpets (The Brant Flooring Co.). Drapes were made and hung. Furniture was donated and sanded and painted. Parents stopped by to pick up their kids and came back in work clothes to help. Senior students who had already worked a shift, came back a few times to help and other just dropped by with coffee from Tim Horton’s for the staff. Some people brought food for a hungry chappy, and others brought little gifts and pictures for the family. Some purchased gifts from Wal Mart and others prayed for our success. No matter how great or how little each person did our true wish was accomplished. Habitat built the Pelzers a house —ASSUMPTION COLLEGE MADE IT A HOME....
Students who had already worked a shift, came back a few times to help and other just dropped by with coffee from Tim Horton’s for the staff. Some people brought food for a hungry chappy, and others brought little gifts and pictures for the family. Some purchased gifts from Wal Mart and others prayed for our success. No matter how great or how little each person did our true wish was accomplished. Habitat built the Pelzers a house —ASSUMPTION COLLEGE MADE IT A HOME
In December, we will be having an all out video presentation for our whole school community. The Pelzers will all be here and we have some more surprises in store for them!
I cannot possibly thank each person here and not accidently leave people out. So I will not give individual thanks. What I will do is convey the gratefulness and the humility I have felt through this whole project. Every students that helped, please know that your Creator saw the good deeds you have done and will reward you in your life (or in Heaven) with many blessings. To the staff and admin team, your leadership and your kind hearts taught all those around you more than what some text books ever could. I am honoured to work with all of you! To the parents who helped, or picked up or dropped off their kids, thank you for supporting good works. And finally, to the Pelzers thank you for letting us take over your house and trust that we wouldn’t destroy it! Your faith in us made this project so much easier.
I am so thankful to God for this community and all it’s generosity. Thank you to every one who had a hand in this project of love. Thanks be to God!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Wayne Lachapelle
Super Proud Chaplain of Assumption College
