SOWER Project Update

Click HERE to download a PDF copy of the SOWER Letter with the schedule and registration information (as seen below).

S.O.W.E.R. VIM Project

Sharing Our Witness – Enriching Relationships

Sowing the Seeds of Christian Love in Southeast Kentucky

The SOWER VIM project has received pledges from West Ohio churches sufficient to insure a construction project will occur in 2010 but not nearly enough to commit to building the 11^th house in 2010.   The SOWER VIM Project needs to have at least the majority of the $36,000 in materials costs covered by pledges of support before late January 2010 to be able to commitment to building this next house. The SOWER VIM Leadership Team is requesting that the churches of West Ohio prayerfully consider supporting this worthwhile project financially with a pledge of support prior to the January 2010 decision time. Volunteers are also needed to make SOWER 2010 a reality. Please consider volunteering your time for one of the work weeks in 2010.

Work weeks for the construction project have been scheduled for May 16-22, May 23-29, July 11-17, July 18-24, August 8-14, and August 15-21 of 2010. The registration fee is $210/person and covers food and lodging and required VIM insurance.  While there is no requirement for volunteers to contribute to the cost of materials, it is suggested that each volunteer or their church contribute at least $300 toward the cost of materials.

SOWER is a West Ohio Conference VIM project at Henderson Settlement, Frakes, Kentucky, which is a component of the Red Bird Missionary Conference. The SOWER project is run in conjunction with Henderson Settlement’s Work Camp Program to enhance the lives of the people of Southeast Kentucky by improving their housing situation. The Work Camp Program is an out reach program to the community to repair existing housing to raise the quality of life for the owner families.

A registration form and frequently asked questions are attached.   Please send all pledges and registrations [checks should be made out to the West Ohio Conference UMC], or questions to:

Ralph & Carolyn Brandon

SOWER VIM Team Leaders

231 McMillen Dr.

Newark, Oh 43055

740-344-5581

SOWER@wocumc.org   please put SOWER in the subject line

In Christ’s Service,

Ralph & Carolyn Brandon

SOWER VIM Team Leaders

S.O.W.E.R. 2010 Registration

You are invited to participate in S.O.W.E.R. 2010 by volunteering for one of the work weeks. The work week dates and approximate construction phase are shown below.   The registration cost for the week, which covers board and room at Henderson Settlement, is $210 with $105 due as a deposit at registration.   The remainder of the registration fee will be due three weeks prior to the departure date.

Each of the 6 work weeks can accommodate no more than 12 volunteers with the work teams filled on an individual “first come basis”.   Please use the “second choice” option on the registration form to facilitate filling all openings in all weeks.

Dates for the work teams to serve at Henderson Settlement

Week              Date                         Construction Goals

   1             May 16 - 22              Framing/roof truss/roof deck
   2             May 23-29                Roofing/siding/interior walls

   3             July 11 - 17             Siding/Insulation/wall board/spackle

   4             July 18 - 24            Spackling/paint/complete exterior
   5             Aug   8 - 14              Flooring/paint/complete interior

   6             Aug 15 - 21              Interior doors/trim/kitchen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S.O.W.E.R. 2010 Registration/Materials Donation

WOCUMCaccount # 10-41230-000-0510

Name _________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________

               _______________________________________________________________

Phone # _______________________________________________________________

Email _________________________________________________________________

Work Week Desired _____________________________________

Second Choice __________________________________________

o   $105 Registration Deposit   ____________________

o   Materials Donation of          ____________________

Please return to:

Ralph Brandon

231 McMillen Dr.

Newark, OH 43055

Please make check(s) payable to: West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church - note on memo line the acct # 10-41230-000-0510 and that payment is for Registration Deposit or Materials Donation.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is SOWER - SOWER is a West Ohio Conference VIM project that operates in conjunction with Henderson Settlement, Frakes, Kentucky, a component of the Red Bird Missionary Conference. The SOWER project works in conjunction with Henderson Settlement’s Work Camp Program to enhance the lives of the people of Southeast Kentucky by improving their housing situation. The Work Camp Program has traditionally repaired existing housing to raise the quality of life for the owner families but a number of years ago it was realized that new housing was also needed because 1) in some cases the existing housing had deteriorated to the point that replacement would be more cost effective than repair, 2) the family had lost their home, or 3) lived in substandard rental housing which could not be worked on.

Where is Henderson Settlement - Frakes is on KY 190 in southeastern KY about 25 miles east of Interstate 75 and 4 miles north of the Tennessee state line. The nearest towns of any consequence are Williamsburg, KY (just off of I-75 at exit 11- about 40 minutes), and Middlesboro, KY (on US 25E – about 40 minutes).

·         Housing – Henderson has a very nice air conditioned dorm. Restroom/shower facilities are provided for each sleeping room. There are two men’s and two women’s sleeping rooms each of which will house up to 32 persons. Two gathering areas plus a large deck are available for “lounging”. There are also 3 houses available to house work campers. Henderson Settlement tries to hire local people as much as possible so there is a dorm “housekeeper/maintenance” person who cleans the public/common areas.

·         Meals – All meals are provided during the work camp at the dining facility. The kitchen staff cooks and cleans up. Work campers need only show up at the appointed times, pick up their meal cafeteria style and when done carry their dirty dishes to the clean up window. The food is good “down home cook’n.”

·         After work hour’s activities – Programs are provided most nights to acquaint work campers with the work of The Red Bird Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church particularly Henderson Settlement as well as the Appalachian Mountain culture.

Cost – The registration fee of $210/person covers the cost of room and board at Henderson Settlement. The registration fee does not cover any of the construction costs. An additional $300 contribution is requested (but not required) per volunteer to help defray the cost construction materials.

How many volunteers are need each week – Due to housing constraints the number of volunteers is limited to 12/week.

Tools – The SOWER project as well as Henderson Settlement has a limited tool set available for those without tools. It is better if each work team brings their own (labeled) tools as this insures the tools will be available when they are needed.

·         How are recipients of the house selected – A committee composed of primarily community people with some Henderson Settlement Staff and Red Bird Missionary Conference staff review the applications submitted and select the most deserving applicants for a running list of approved applicants. The people at the top of the list get houses as churches/groups sign up as sponsors.

·         What does the family provide – The family must own the land and provide a well and septic system. They must also see that the foundation is erected and the plumbing and electric service is installed and inspected.

What size house is constructed – The houses are 28x28 ft. (784 sq. ft.). They have two bedrooms, a bath room with laundry closet, galley style kitchen, and living area. There is a 8’x 28’ front porch and 8’x’ 8’ back porch. The house is provided with a heat pump for heating and cooling.