This past Wednesday we dedicated the first in a series of new, simple, decent houses built for the Dowling family and sponsored by University of Alabama's football coach, Nick Saban. He and his wife Terry run an organization called Nick's Kids. They put down a very generous amount towards the construction of this first home. When I say first home, it is the first for the newly re-started Habitat affiliate here in Tuscaloosa. Construction was begun just six weeks ago, and at that time, the goal was set to have the home completed and dedicated on Sept 3, just days before the opening season of the Crimson Tide. In the last few weeks, staff and volunteers worked long and hard (most of the staff was putting in 12+ hour days.) It felt good to make it, although construction director Brandon tells us that we will not be keeping up the same pace on the next homes. At the dedication, a few of the local volunteers who have been working clearing the site from April 27th, when the tornado hit, were recognized by Bob Johnson (the new executive director) for their commitment and contributions. Dana and Bob Dowling and their two kids, Drew and Marilyn were presented with Bibles and the key to their new home. Another high point of the day was the presentation by the Drummond Company of a check to Nick's Kids for $400,000. Coach Saban said in an interview that same afternoon that all of that amount would be used in going forward with Habitat to build at least 13 homes (one for each of the championships the team has won).
This week we have a very special group of volunteers here working with us from Lafayette, Indiana , Larry and Cheryl Winger's Kairos Carpenters . They having been bringing groups on mission trips, both here and abroad for over twenty years and have worked with Habitat and Fuller Centers a bunch of times in Biloxi, Ms, Bay St. Louis and Bridge City, Texas. My middle of 5 sons, Paul, is also down here for the week with me. It's great to have family and friends working together on a worthy cause.
So, Roll Tide kicked some Kent State butt on the opening game 48 to 7. I guess since Kent State was Coach Saban's alma mater, they held back and didn't want to run the score up too much. RTR.