Habitat for Humanity RV Care-A-Vanners

[Gearheart]

L & D, You were in my back yard in Sarnia, only 2 hours away. Wish I'd have known. Laura and I would have found a way to come and visit, maybe even help.

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by Gearheart

L & D, You were in my back yard in Sarnia, only 2 hours away. Wish I'd have known. Laura and I would have found a way to come and visit, maybe even help.

If we get up that way again we'll be sure to let you know in advance.

[nvestysly]

Woo-Hoo! Habitat for Humanity RV Care-A-Vanners is going to have an information booth and present daily seminars at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. The dates are January 17 - 21, 2018.

http://www.frvta.org/show/florida-rv-supershow/

If you've never been to this show you're missing something. It is way BIG! It's certainly the largest RV show we've attended. Friends of ours have been to the Hershey RV show and the Tampa show and indicated the Tampa show is clearly larger (more acres of RV's). Airstream always has a big presence and it's fun to see all the new products from them as well as the many other RV's, products and services from other manufacturers.

Back to Habitat...

Look for us in Building A adjacent to the Camping World "store." Seminars will be offered daily at noon. Check the SuperShow schedule for more details.

[mcair]

Hey guys! We have been retired now for about 2 years. Would love to get out and do some builds. We have been dealing with a lot of health and extended family issues but are hoping to be able to get out more soon.

[Dave18134]

We just signed up for a two-week build in Hobbs, NM, Feb 11-25! This will be our first, but I'm sure not our last. We are "building it in" to our 6 week trip we had planned to the southwest. After watching the Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners video, how could we NOT do this? It just looks like too much fun. https://youtu.be/uIVDZgxhkT4

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by mcair

Hey guys! We have been retired now for about 2 years. Would love to get out and do some builds. We have been dealing with a lot of health and extended family issues but are hoping to be able to get out more soon.

Hi mcair... we look forward to seeing you again and adding RV CAV to the mix. We will be in Omaha, NE for a few days in late April or early May and helping with Habitat while we're there. Let us know if you're interested in joining us in Omaha.

Originally Posted by Dave18134

We just signed up for a two-week build in Hobbs, NM, Feb 11-25! This will be our first, but I'm sure not our last. We are "building it in" to our 6 week trip we had planned to the southwest. After watching the Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners video, how could we NOT do this? It just looks like too much fun. https://youtu.be/uIVDZgxhkT4

The RV CAV video is contagious! I've seen it dozens of times and I never tire of hearing the stories of RVers on the road helping others buy a decent, affordable house.

The homeowners are the greatest. We recently returned from a trip to Lafayette, LA and had a great time with other RVers as well as the local volunteers. We met a few of the new/potential homeowners and they were excited to be partnering with Habitat.

[nvestysly]

Several RV CAVers met at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa recently and staffed an information booth and provided daily seminars to help spread the word at Habitat for Humanity and more specifically, the RV Care-A-Vanner program.

At the SuperShow we made contact with over 1100 people via the booth and seminars. That's HUGE! Several hundred of those points of contact signed up for the monthly newsletter so we hope some new "builders" will be volunteering soon.

Don't overlook the fact that RV CAVers can volunteer in a variety of ways - it's not necessary to swing a hammer or operate a power tool - you can work with Collegiate Challenge to give direction to college students on spring break, take the training to become a Competent Person Safety Trainer (CPST) and train others on the topic of jobsite safety, help out in the ReStore or participate in any number of other ways to support the cause of building decent, affordable housing.

[nvestysly]

Any Care-A-Vanners out there? Tell us about your experiences or “builds” you have scheduled. We’re going to be in Omaha, NE for a few days in late spring.

[Dave18134]

Just a quick report on our experience as first-timers at Hobbs, NM, February 11-25. In a nutshell: I don't see how it could have been any better.

We had a first rate place to park with full hookups (no charge), we were steps away from the building site, we had a meeting room on-site where we shared meals, we were extremely well fed (someone was ALWAYS bringing in donuts, pastries, BBQ,etc), and finally, we were very capably and patiently supervised. What really made it special were the people we worked with and, of course, the homeowners and their families that we met during the build.

Here is a link to a quick video that will give you a better idea, https://photos.app.goo.gl/fMwSpY958FwkCW4x2

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by Dave18134

Just a quick report on our experience as first-timers at Hobbs, NM, February 11-25. In a nutshell: I don't see how it could have been any better.

We had a first rate place to park with full hookups (no charge), we were steps away from the building site, we had a meeting room on-site where we shared meals, we were extremely well fed (someone was ALWAYS bringing in donuts, pastries, BBQ,etc), and finally, we were very capably and patiently supervised. What really made it special were the people we worked with and, of course, the homeowners and their families that we met during the build.

We've heard good things about Hobbs, NM and it sounds like you experienced the best of it! We'll be sure to put the Hobbs Habitat affiliate on our list of places to consider the next time we're in the Southwest.

[nvestysly]

Are there any WBCCI members who have worked on Habitat for Humanity projects and attending the WBCCI International Rally in Salem in 2018?

If so, please send me a PM. RV CAV needs help to provide a seminar at the WBCCI rally. It's not difficult and I will be glad to offer some tips. The PowerPoint slides are available to download and WBCCI will provide the projector, seminar room, schedule the event, etc. All you need to do is show the slides and tell people about your experience.

Thanks.

[Wrangler]

We have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity with a church group for many years. 2018 was our first experience with the Care-A-Vanners, in Mandiville, LA. It was such a great time, we have signed up for a two week stint in Thibideau, LA in 2019. Really looking forward to living in the Flying Cloud, escaping a bit of winter in Minnesota and doing some construction.

[nvestysly]

Good to hear some Airstreamers are becoming involved with RV CAV. Post pictures from your projects - we like pictures!

Habitat for Humanity RV Care-A-Vanners will have an information booth at the 2019 Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, January 16 - 20.

If you're headed to the show, or know somebody who is, be sure to stop by the booth - we're located next to the Camping World "store" in building A. We'll have lots of smiling faces and friendly Care-A-Vanners to answer your questions about the program.

I promise to post some pictures after the show!

[Wrangler]

Pictures from this years project in LA.

[nvestysly]

Here’s a picture of the information booth at the 2019 Florida RV SuperShow. We spoke to 995 people and added 131 email addresses to the monthly newsletter roster.

[kds]

Thanks for the pictures and update!!!!! This is great news. So glad the word about Habitats RV Care-a-vanners is spreading.

Looking forward to seeing you in April at the 30th year reunion for the Habitat RV Care-a-vanners. It's going to be good one!

KDS

[nvestysly]

Well.... it won't be an RV Care-A-Vanner program but all you Airstreamers who will be attending the 2020 International Rally in Loveland, CO will have an opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity while you're at the rally.

We plan to have volunteer time slots for those who arrive early as well as attendees who come for just the week of the rally. Be sure to watch for more updates in the Blue Beret as well as on the Loveland 2020 Rally page.

[nvestysly]

Hello Airstreamers,

We're looking for somebody to help on 1-week Habitat project in Lansing, MI for the week of September 8 - 15, 2019.

Details of this particular project:

1) It's only a 1-week commitment.

2) Camping is free, 50A, water, sewer at a dump station

3) Relatively short "work" day: 8 - 3, Monday - Friday

4) Lunch is included at a local church every day

5) Rock The Block - the Care-A-Vanners will be guiding/directing others that will be doing the hands-on labor

Arrive on Sunday, September 8 and leave as early as Friday afternoon September 13. Or stay a day or two longer and do some sightseeing around Lansing.

Take a look at the picture below for more details and sign up at the web link shown. To sign up, scroll down to the September 8 - 15 date and click on Lansing, MI

http://www.habitat.org/cd/rv/schedule.aspx?order=date

[nvestysly]

Are there any Airstreamers with RV CAV experience who can volunteer at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa in January 2020? We’re still looking for one or two RV’s to help staff the RV CAV information booth.

Dates are Mon - Sun, January 13 - 19. Monday is setup day. Tue - Sun are show days. “Working” hours are 3 hours per day so you have plenty of time to enjoy one of the largest RV shows in the country. If we have enough volunteers there’s a chance for a day off for sightseeing. You’re responsible for your own camping fee at the fairgrounds - full hookups for approximately $200 for the week.

[nvestysly]

Okay, there will be two Airstreams present at the SuperShow RV Care-A-Vanner camping area and a third Airstreamer will be helping for a few days at the booth but is not able to bring their Airstream to the show.

So... for all you Airstreamers who are on the fence about participating with RV CAV, but will be attending the RV SuperShow in January 2020, mark your calendars now. Stop by to see us in Booth A215. We are right next to the Camping World booth so we're easy to find. Stop by to see us. We'd like to meet you!

For those of you who have participated in RV CAV, don't be shy. Tell us about your experience - that's what this thread is intended to do. Pictures are always good. Tell us the good (and the bad). Help us spread the word.