Info from Apex UMC

Hello,

I am the group leader for the Apex UMC group that just returned from the Mullens, WV ASP center. I just wanted to fill our fellow NC groups in on a few things.

Sleeping arrangements - The men slept in two rooms downstairs and both were air conditioned although still a little warm when filled with bodies. The ladies were in classrooms up stairs.

Showers - can't really say much about them except that we had hot water and they had not been used in a while so were quite musky smelling. I believe there were probably 4 working shower heads in the men's bathroom and I'm not sure about the women's although other than smell, I heard no complaints.

Mullens is a little more developed than most towns we've been in. There is a grocery store and most importantly a Dairy Queen. There are also a couple of gas stations.

The furthest house we had was probably 30 minutes from the center. Several were 5-10 minutes away. I know the staff was working hard to find other projects in the county so that is subject to change I'm sure.

On Saturday when you're leaving, no breakfast is provided so we split our teams between the Hardees and McDonalds which will be on Rt 16 (after turning from the two lane Hwy 54) and just prior to getting back onto the Interstate. You'll probably see them if you come in through Beckley.

Regards,

John Tigner

Mid-Week 3 Updates

Aloha from Mullens, WV. Wow, we’re a quarter of the way through our summer and its never gone faster! It must be because we’re having fun. Week 2 was filled with rain, but our volunteers were real troopers and worked through it. They also helped us raise money for a new bathroom in one of our homes with their very successful t-shirt auction! Week 3 promises to be a very interesting week, we’ve started a few new projects and we finished up a few old ones. Hopefully this update will give you a little update on how your families are getting on.

Project 1
Code Name: Alphabet Soup
Situation: Barbara lives with her dog and bird alone. She’s a real kick, so be prepared to fall in love!
Last Week: Underpinning/Foundations.
This week: Finalize Underpinning and give Barbara a new front porch!
Future: Back porch?

Project 2
Code Name: Cellular Phone
Situation: The Rutherfords! Grandma Melanie and Storm (her grandson) living together at the top of the hill. Storm will require a playmate at all times, so be prepared to PLAY!
Last Week: Added railings and stairs to the porch, as well as attached it to the home. It turned out beautiful.
This Week: Insulate the floors!
Future: We are investigating the situation

Project 3
Code Name: Unique Opportunity
Situation: Mother, daughter and son living next to the post office. All of whom love to chit chat!Last Week: Got rid of black mold in the back room and re-did the drywall. (It looks GORGEOUS!)
This week: Spackle and paint the new drywall.
Future: We are investigating the situation

Project 4
Code Name: Bar of Soap
Situation: Janie, Amanda and T. Andy live together in a trailer quite close to our center. They’re so wonderful and charming, you’ll love to meet them.
Last Week: Put in new floor and put railings on a the back porch, as well as building a set of back steps.
This Week: Front Porch and Rooster roof.
Future: Bathroom Floor is looking like a possibility.

Project 5
Code Name: Nacho Cheese/ Charlie’s Angels
Situation: Billy, Donna and their two kids Latisha and Cody living and loving in West Virginia. Latisha and Cody will be your best friends!
Last Week: Finished their front porch off and had a drainage ditch installed around back.
This week: Siding the second addition.
Future: Interior work, gutters, facia and soffits.

Project 6
Code Name: Counting Crows
Situation: Margaret and Arnold are and elderly couple, both of whom are very ill. Margaret loves cake!
Last Week: We were not on this house last week due to a family emergency, but previously we put on new underpinning.
This Week: finishing up underpinning and putting up siding
Future: We are investigating the situation.

Project 7
Code Name: Paparazzi
Situation: Leanna and 3 kids Shannon, Zackary and Julia. Kids are fun when they are around.
Last Week: repaired continuous foundation and fixed the electrical situation, so they finally have full power in their home!
This Week: putting in a sill plate and floor for their bathroom addition.
Future plans: The rest of the addition; walls, roof, flooring painting and fixtures.

Project 8
Code Name: Candy Cane
Situation: 97 year old James lives alone with lots of visits from his daughter Lola.
Last Week: This is a new project!
This Week: Repairing his roof.
Future plans: That might take a while, possibly.

Project 9
Code Name: Don’t Touch My Stuff
Situation: Mother and Father Baily and daughter Nicole (who can kick our staffs butt at connect four) live together with two cute dogs and mysterious kittens no one can find...
Last Week: This is a new project!
This Week: Building a safe second exit porch.
Future plans: We are investigating the situation.

Project 10
Code Name: Mac and Cheese
Situation: Mother Wanda living with two kids, all of whom are very sweet.
Last Week: This too, is a new project.
This Week: Investigating her roof and the vinyl siding/soffits.
Future Plans: Roofing possibly. We’ll tackle it as it comes.

Project 11
Code Name: Welcome Home
Situation: Clarence is the most lovable man you’ll ever meet. Be prepared to fall head over heels for this project.
Last Week: Another new project. We like to keep busy.
This Week: ROOF! ROOF!
Future Plans: We are investigating the situation.

If you haven’t been able to tell, we’ve been busy! Our projects thus far are working out spectacularly. appreciate it. We can’t wait for your arrival at Mullens middle school!

---Mullens Staff (Meg, Mike, Jamielee and Becca)