ALT-update Mailing List: Fwd: Darius's homecoming & call for volunteers

[Updates on the Athens Land Trust's Activities (alt-update]

We'd love to have some help next weekend with the 
addition on the Weems family's new home.

Heather




> Dear Darius Goes West supporters,
>
> We have some exciting news! Thanks to an 
> incredibly generous donation from an incredibly 
> enthusiastic Darius Goes West fan, the Weems 
> family is moving into a home of their own!
>
>
>
> This amazing turn of events began with an offer 
> to make the bathroom/shower in Darius's home 
> wheelchair accessible. Since the Weems rent 
> their house, however, we felt that this didn't 
> make sense financially. Then, while working with 
> the Athens Land Trust on a separate project, 
> Daniel Epting (the driver in our film) found an 
> entire house that would cost just a little more 
> than bathroom renovations! So, Jamie (Darius's 
> mom) is about to make the leap from paying 
> astronomical rent to paying an affordable mortgage!
>
>
>
> For years, Darius has only been able to access 
> two rooms in his house: the living room and his 
> bedroom. No more! D's new digs will have doors 
> wide enough to wheel everywhere?including the 
> kitchen?and will boast an accessible shower as 
> well! This house is also perfectly located?just 
> a short wheelchair ride from restaurants, parks, 
> and Darius's high school, so he can now go to sporting events on his own.
>
>
>
> But the house is also small, and although the 
> rooms are large, it has just one bedroom. Not to 
> worry! Thanks to another incredibly generous 
> donation from long-time DGW supporters Margo and 
> Jeff Barbakow, we will be adding a second bedroom?and WE COULD USE YOUR HELP!
>
>
>
> Already, Athens architect Jennifer Bloomer has 
> generously donated consultation and design 
> services for this addition. And Bogart-based 
> Maverick Materials, a subsidiary of GMS, has 
> agreed to donate a huge chunk of the building 
> materials and supplies we'll need to get the job 
> done. Our goal is to have the Weems family in 
> their new home by Thanksgiving, so we've 
> scheduled an old-fashioned "addition raising" for the weekend of November 2-4.
>
>
>
> How can YOU help with "Darius Goes 
> Home?"  Here's a wish list of what we could use?
>
>
>
> MANPOWER
>
> If you live in or near Athens (or feel like 
> visiting for the weekend), we need:
>    * Carpenters and carpenter helpers
>    * Masons
>    * Exterior painters
>    * Roofers
>    * Electricians
>    * Plumbers
>    * Sheetrock hangers
>    * Window installers
>    * Interior painters
>    * Siding installers
>    * Carpet installers
>    * Door hangers
>    * Interior Decorator (just one to coordinate fixing up the inside)
>    * Errand runners
>
>
>
> SUPPLIES/MATERIALS WE COULD USE
>
> Let us know if you or someone you know could donate any of the following:
>    * Interior/exterior paint
>    * Portable dumpster (while construction is going on)
>    * Recessed lighting
>    * Carpet (just for additional room)
>    * Windows
>    * Doors (six pre-hung, 36" or wider)
>    * Exterior siding (for addition)
>    * Dishwasher
>    * Blinds, curtains
>
>
>
> FOOD
>
> Our volunteer workers will need to be fed all 
> weekend. If you'd like to drop off food and 
> beverages the weekend of November 2-4, we'd be forever grateful!
>
>
>
> FURNITURE
>
> In their tight existing quarters, Darius's 
> oversized wheelchair often bangs into the Weems 
> family's furniture and has left most of it 
> severely damaged. They would definitely 
> appreciate these items?either new or gently used:
>    * Waterproof wheelchair for D's new shower
>    * Sofa and love seat
>    * Dresser (for Darius)
>    * Lawn furniture
>    * Oversized recliner
>    * Entertainment center
>    * King size bed
>    * Area rugs
>
>
>
> GIFT CARDS
>
> If you live out of town, out of state?or even if 
> you live nearby but have prior commitments for 
> the weekend of November 2-4--there's still a way 
> to help with this project. Gift cards to 
> Wal-Mart or Target would make perfect 
> housewarming gifts and would help us add the 
> finishing touches to the Weems' new home.  If 
> interested, you can mail these to: Darius Goes 
> West/135 Pine Tops Court/Athens, GA 30606.
>
>
>
> QUESTIONS? HERE'S WHO TO CONTACT
>
> If you can help with the addition, please 
> contact Daniel Epting at (706) 540-6577 and 
> LEAVE A MESSAGE. Since he's often busy doing 
> construction or catering, he sometimes can't 
> answer his phone, but he WILL get back to you. 
> If you can help with food or have 
> non-construction-related questions, contact 
> Barbara Smalley at DGW headquarters by calling 
> (706) 613-7237 or sending an e-mail to: 
> <mailto:knowaboutit [at] gmail.com>knowaboutit [at] gmail.com
>
>
>
> Thanks so much for your continuing support of a 
> project we're all so passionate about. And 
> thanks for anything you can do to help with 
> "Darius Goes Home." We LOVE our fans!
>
>
>
> KNOW ABOUT IT!
>
>
>
>
> --
> Barbara Smalley
> The Darius Goes West
> "Know About It" Program
> 135 Pine Tops Court
> Athens, GA 30606
> (706) 613-7237


Heather Benham
Project Director

Athens Land Trust, Inc.
2109 W. Broad Street
Athens, GA 30606-3545

Telephone: 706.613.0122 ? Fax: 706.613.0143
heather [at] athenslandtrust.org ? www.athenslandtrust.org