Santa Barbara Camp Out - November 2-5, 2006
Roamin' Catholics, Southwest, meet Habitat for Humanity
This weekend was filled with warm hearts, hard work, many accomplishments and good visiting!
The plans for this weekend were to work on the Habitat for Humanity worksite in Santa Barbara.
This is a three-condo site that was ready for many types of work. There was a lot of interest in the
weekend and we were delighted that there were 12 couples signed up to join us. Schedules being what they
are – and car troubles cropping up at the last minute – we had seven couples – but what a wonderful group
it was! (Goodin, Hogue, Perry, Tibbetts, White, Zimmerman, Avila)
We arrived Thursday afternoon and Habitat for Humanity had made arrangements for us to stay at
the Earl Warren Show Grounds. We got together for dinner (lots of great appetizers) and spent the
evening visiting. The weather was beautiful but it was interesting how damp the air got early in the
evening because of the closeness of the ocean.
Friday morning we were ready to go to work at 9 am – worked till 3 or 4. Some of the jobs that
we did were: putting Tyvek on the structure, adding wood molding to complete the structure, bringing
lunch to the RCSW workers on site (our thanks to Bob and Gen), painting boards, recycling light fixtures,
picking up nails with a magnet, moving supplies around, stripping wood flooring that was to be used on
kitchen floors. That night was the potluck dinner and we spent the evening hearing great jokes –
unfortunately, we can’t remember any of them – but we had lots of chuckles!
Saturday we again went to work and followed up the day with dinner out at the Beachside Bar and
Café right by the ocean in Goleta. I think this group REALLY likes shrimp. On the drive to the restaurant
we were able to enjoy the beautiful sunset – some of us had a longer trip by taking the ‘scenic tour’
thru UCSB. When we got back to the campsite, we gathered around to enjoy the homemade apple cobbler
dessert that Gen Perry had fixed for all of us.
Sunday morning we went to mass at the Santa Barbara mission which couldn’t have been a better
mass if we planned it ourselves. We had a high mass, terrific homily, charismatic celebrant along
with a joyful congregation. After mass there was a breakfast back at the campsite. Joyce and Bill
McCullough joined us. Bill is the job ‘Super’ on the site and Joyce is the Manager of the Santa
Barbara Habitat for Humanity office. She said how glad they were that we came to the weekend and
what a terrific help we were at the site. They had been approached by the RV Caravaners who are
looking for sites where there would be two weeks of work at a time. Joyce said the Santa Barbara
Office was not able right now to accommodate that much help in a two-week time frame. But our two-day
workweek fit in just perfectly.
Some Comments from the Group:
Pat and Ron Tibbetts: What a wonderful opportunity to lend a hand to people who
have a real need! Habitat is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others. We all have
something to offer…on various levels of ability.
Betty Goodin: Wow! What an experience worth repeating. Most fun: 1. wearing a
hard hat 2. Putting up Tyrap with Ben who is as meticulous as I am.
Rich Goodin: Being on the roof was my highest achievement – this weekend!
Bob and Gen Perry: Even tho Bob nor I were able to work we enjoyed visiting
the site, meeting the people in charge of the project, & learning the process for selecting of the
site & the people who are able to qualify to purchase these homes. Also to hear of all the various
trades people & others who contribute their time, talent, & financial assistance. We especially
enjoyed attending Mass at the mission, dinner at Goleta, & the companionship of the group which
I feel is much closer because of our religious belief.
Jack and Helen White: Jack and I are so proud of our Roamin' Catholics.
Each time we are together we realize how special each couple is and what different gifts they have to offer.
Ben and Donna Avila: What a wonderful experience this was for us! The response
from our Chapter was heartwarming. Many of you wanted to help Habitat for Humanity and that says so
much about our Chapter!
After Sunday breakfast – and on another beautifully sunny day - we all then took off for our next adventure.
Our thanks to all of you who were a part of this weekend – whether it was in just wanting to be there – or
actually being able to be there. You have given both of us a great present by your enthusiasm and participation.
Ben and Donna Avila