Building Sheds of Hope

This past weekend we saw a powerful phenomenon.  About 100 RUF college students from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas descended on the Sheds of Hope warehouse. This far surpassed our usual 20-or-so volunteers. But we were prepared. In their wake, they left sheds standing where homes had been torn away. They left the hope for a new beginning.

The shed in the photo is a new concept that will enable groups to build sheds outside of Oklahoma  and then transport them flat-packed directly to a home in the Moore area. Volunteers can then assemble them quickly onsite.

RUF students getting instructions before opening the shed packs to start building.

News 9 came by and did a story on our effort. Here is their report…

“Sheds of Hope Group Offers Helping Hand To Tornado Victims”

By Heather Hope, News 9 – Oklahoma City

Video

Sheds of Hope has built about 85 sheds so far, and they have more than 200 people on their waiting list.

MOORE, Oklahoma – We’re four months out from the Moore tornado, but volunteers are still busy trying to help victims in their path to recovery.

Countless tornado victims lost so much in the May storms, mainly space, and that is why one group is working to give them a place to store things.

The foundation is laid on the new home Joshawa Green is rebuilding in Moore, four months after the May 20 tornado. Green needed a shed too for storage, and the group ‘Sheds for Hope’ answered his call for free.

“They had it built right before I even knew they were going to and never got a chance to thank them really,” Green said.

In a warehouse, Sheds of Hope volunteers are making way for a special delivery. They’re preparing to build 15 more sheds for storm victims.

“So they have a place to lock their belongings to prevent looting and give them a place to start rebuilding on their property,” Laura Atherton, coordinator for Sheds of Hope.

Atherton heads the group, which is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America. She’ll be in charge of the 100 college students volunteering to put together the sheds piece by piece on Saturday morning.

“They will assemble the shed, put shingles on it, paint it the color that the homeowner has requested,” Atherton said. “Then later the homeowners will drive by later that evening and have a brand new shed on their property ready to go.”

It’s a tedious project that will take about four hours to complete. So the group is getting all their tools and materials stacked in a row, ready to make some Moore resident’s day. Like Green, who says he’s grateful for the secure storage space.

“It’s a pretty cool gesture you know,” Green said. “You don’t really expect anything like that to just show up in your backyard.”

Sheds of Hope has built about 85 sheds so far, and they have more than 200 people on their waiting list. If you would like a shed built, call (405) 928-8052 or go to www.ShedsofHope.com