Before June, the family had lived in a dilapidated trailer with leaks, mold and electrical issues. Through the efforts of the Knights of Columbus Father Sikora Council No. 7992 at Church of the Nativity in Burke, the family of five now lives in a 1,100-square-foot house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
For more than 22 years, the Knights have partnered with a Christian nonprofit, Appalachian Construction Crew Inc., to build homes in impoverished counties in Appalachia. This June, the Knights constructed their 24th home in McCreary County, Ky. This was the third project where the 27-member crew faced COVID challenges and the second home where they experienced significant supply chain obstacles.
For families to apply for a new home, the program’s only requirements are that the family own the land and demonstrate to the selection committee that they can maintain the home and cover insurance costs.
Over the course of two weeks, the crew built the house complete with new appliances, a septic system, and a heat pump for energy efficiency. While the crew worked during the day, they depended on local contractors and craftsmen who often worked at night to install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, septic and electrical systems.
On day six of the build, Father Danny Taylor, parochial vicar of St. Mildred Church in Somerset, Ky., and Father Ed Bresnahan, parochial vicar of Nativity, both visited to bless the house. Following the house blessing, the crew presented the keys to the family.
The council presented a trailer full of household items from Nativity parishioners. The donations included beds and bedding, new items for every room in the house, clothing, school supplies and food.
On day seven, the first crew left and the finishing crew arrived to finish the drywall, paint, hang doors, and install kitchen cabinets. The family moved in by the end of June, 30 days after the first crew began.
Brandon and Opel, the parents, were both in tears when they thanked the crew, describing how the new home would change their lives.
Another house in the books as the selection committee begins the process of choosing a family for the next home to be built in June 2023.
