Thirty-three Craftsmen for Christ volunteers replaced a leaking roof for Virginia and Herbert Spreen on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. “The roof has been leaking a long, long time,” Virginia explains. “When it rained, I just got out the kettles to put under the leaks. When it rained hard, water poured down through the light fixtures. I knew something had to be done, but I didn’t even know where to start.”
This summer has been one of the rainiest on record. The job had to be completed before cold weather put off the project for another year. The project organizers needed one dry day and a lot of volunteers to get the job done, but the rain persisted. Palmer Church members began to pray in earnest and set the date. Sunday dawned sunny and cool, perfect weather to raise a roof. And there were so many volunteers that not everyone had enough to do.
Herbert and Virginia have had their share of challenges this summer. It began when Herbert, now nearly 90, fell and broke his neck at a bridal shower. He was hospitalized for six weeks while Virginia sat at his bedside and made the long commute back and forth from the hospital to be with him. He returned home in a neck brace where Virginia, a spry 85-year-old, cares for him.
“Herbert has helped on every church building or school project in this area,” says one of the volunteers. “It felt good to be able to give something back.”
Rob Carleson and Robbie Lane plumb the center support wall. (Stacy Peterson)
Lee Grimstad, Matthew Olson and George Alder prepare rafters for the new roof. (Stacy Peterson)
