Care-A-Vanners help Sisters families

For some, an RV vacation means doing some real work - and having some real fun.

Sisters Habit for Humanity board members and volunteers welcomed a group of Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners with a potluck supper last weekend. RV Care-A-Vanners is a volunteer program for anyone who travels around the country in a recreational vehicle, and wants to build Habitat houses and have fun doing it. RV Care-A-Vanners welcomes people of all ages, from all walks of life, who want to pick up a hammer and help change lives.

Karl and Paula Hatrak rented out their house in La Quinta, California, to find out if they liked life on the road - which they did. They decided to continue traveling, visiting the kids, and "giving back for all we've been given," Karl said. This is their second year and their third build. Karl had done some building projects in their home over the years, and Paula said, "I'm a fast learner."

Bill and Deborah Brown retired in Fair Oaks, California, and decided to try out the RV lifestyle for a couple of months. They read an article about the RV Care-A-Vanners and decided that sounded like a great way to give back. They are enjoying their experience and next year hope to extend their road trip to five or six months and volunteer at more Habitat builds around the country.

Dan and Jean Bissell do volunteer work at home in Salem, and they travel a lot in their RV. They wanted to find something to do to give back while they were on the road and came across the RV Care-A-Vanners on the Internet. This will be their sixth build in two years.

Kevin Schinke comes from Sacramento. He sold his home, bought a van, joined RV Care-A-Vanners and plans to drive around the country helping wherever he finds a need. He says, "I did a lot of work on my house. It's not rocket science. I figured I can figure it out."

Gary Vines and Deb Locke were from Maine, but they live full-time in their motor home. They both love experiencing different perspectives, meeting new people, having meaningful conversations, and being on the road. They have been RV Care-A-Vanners for three years and are the team leaders of this crew.

Sisters Habitat Executive Director Sharlene Weed thanked the Sisters City Council for a grant to cover the fees for the Care-A-Vanners to stay at Creekside Campgroup for the week to help with the build.

The RV Care-A-Vanners enjoyed staying at Creekside Campground, as reflected in several comments: "Great little park; very quiet and beautiful." "We appreciate the location of the park as one can walk or ride bikes anywhere in town and great access to the trails." "The campground host was awesome, very helpful. Love the center lawn area, it was great for socializing." "The park is well-maintained and we appreciate the hot showers after a day of physical work on the Habitat build site."

The builds in progress are for the Spain and Maxwell families on East Cascade Avenue. The crew followed behind the drywallers, worked on outside trim, and the front decks were taking shape. Those with expertise did their thing, like mitering boards, and everybody else carried a pile of boards or bricks from here to there like a well-oiled machine. Hammers were pounding, saws were buzzing, the birds were singing - the feeling of giving back to the community was in the air.

Darleene Snider, Sisters Habitat construction manager said, "This has been my first time leading a group of RV Care-A-Vanners, and they have been awesome. I appreciate their flexibility, expertise and general good-natured attitude. It was a great experience and they are all invited to return to help whenever they want!"

Habitat volunteers can be part of the build crew or help out at the Thrift Store or ReStore. Orientations are held twice a month at the Habitat office above the Thrift Store at 141 W. Main Ave. Contact volunteer and family services manager Marie Clasen at [email protected] or 541-549-1193.