Masonry Magazine September 2001 Page. 10
from the editor
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF ST. LOUIS HELPS BUILD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
On May 3rd, 2001, eight mason contractors from the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis (MCA) and their crews of bricklayers and laborers, responded to a call for help from Habitat for Humanity of St. Louis, and succeeded in helping to build 15 houses in 15 days.
The Habitat organization, which builds homes for the poor, needed bricks laid as part of it's recent housing blitz in Wellston. The blitz was in honor of the chapter's 15th anniversary, and officials planned to celebrate by building 15 houses in 15 days. Six of the houses would receive brick fronts.
To get the masonry part of the job done fast and professionally, project organizers turned to the Mason Contractors Association. Habitat officials quickly learned that the quality of the people in the organization was equal to the quality of their work.
Crews of bricklayers (Bricklayers' Union Local No. 1 of Missouri) and laborers (Eastern Missouri Laborers' District Council) showed up early on that unseasonably hot sunny day in May and began assembling the brick walls. Also on hand to coordinate activities with the MCA were officials of Bricklayers' Union Local No. 1 of Missouri- Alan Martini, president of the Union, and Bob Guinn and Steve Bailey, Business Representatives.
Doug Nichols, president of the MCA St. Louis and Doug Nichols Masonry, along with other mason contracting firms who contributed their crews and equipment included: Spencer Brickwork, John J. Smith Masonry Co., Heitkamp Masonry, Grant Masonry Contracting Co., Fred L. Davis Co., Frisch Masonry and Brinker Contracting Co. Masonry materials were donated by Raineri Building Materials, Buchheit Supply, and Kirchner Block & Brick. Richards Brick donated brick.
Habitat for Humanity requires families to invest 450 hours of "sweat equity" in Habitat building projects, including their own home. Partner families buy the homes at cost with a 20- to 30-year interest-free mortgage. Families are selected based on level of need, the willingness to become partners in the program, and the ability to repay the loan. Natalie Brown was one of the 15 Habitat Home recipients working on-site (as seen in the accompanying photo with Doug Nichols). She was amazed at the speed of the masons. Although the crews didn't begin working until that morning, almost all the brick work on the six homes was complete by early afternoon!
What's great about Habitat for Humanity and the participation from the masonry industry, is that it goes beyond the building of a home for a family in need. One the
Doug Nichols, President of Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis and Doug Nichols Masonry, helps new owner Natalie Brown put mortar in place.
one hand, it gives local bricklayers, contractors and suppliers a chance to showcase their industry's products, their craftmanship and their commitment to help others. But what makes Habitat for Humanity a true success is the spirit of the people who sacrificed their time, their resources and their sweat accepting no compensation in return - when they could have been out making money on a number of other jobs instead. The volunteerism of the industry makes it clear that we're all not in this industry simply for the money. Our volunteerism demonstrates our passion and desire to give something back-not only to those in need but to the masonry industry as well.
To date, Habitat has built over 100 homes in the St. Louis area. Within the next three years, the organization plans to build 30 more houses in Wellston. When they do, they'll be looking for volunteers from all walks of life, promising that participants will be "physically tired but emotionally refreshed." Those of you who are interested in volunteering, be sure to keep abreast of future Habitat opportunities, where you can donate your time and sweat for a good cause. Feel free to email photos and details of your experience to my attention at: dmitchell@masonryshowcase.com. We'll do our best to get your story published.
Sincerely,
Debra J. Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief
"Excerpts of this article come from the Masonry Institute of St. Louis MASONRY newsletter (Vol 8, Issue 3). For more on this story, including on-site photos, turn to poge 48 in the MASONRY NEWS section of this issue.