On August 6th, 2005, Habitat for Humanity International began raising the 200,000th house built world-wide by the organization. The build, which took eight days to complete, brought together families, sponsors, and volunteers from around the world, and Ernie Wiles of the Knoxville Office was one of them. Ernie Wiles is a regular crew leader volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and said that Tom Zachmann of the Knoxville office, another crew leader volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, is the one that initially got him involved with the Habitat for Humanity projects. Mike Taylor of the Knoxville office has also volunteered his Engineering expertise on several of the Habitat for Humanity Projects.

About 140 volunteers from seven countries used 250 pounds of nails, 200 two-by-fours and 15 gallons of paint as they worked 1,600 hours over eight days to build the world's 200,000th Habitat for Humanity house.

Like most of you, I watched in awe as I viewed clips of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina on CNN. After the storm, some of the families that were affected by the hurricane began to call our toll free number. These families weren't’t strangers; they were fellow Lauren employees and they began to share stories that touched my heart. One employee Mark F. called me in distress because he has been unable to locate his son and was forced to make a decision to stay and look for him or take his pregnant wife to Orlando, FL to be near a hospital before their due date. (I am happy to report that Mark’s son was found and mom and baby are well). There was also David P. who had a house near a small water channel, 15 miles inland. The house was built on stilts and the rooftop was a good thirty feet high; the flood waters submerged the entire house. I later learned that David brought all the possessions he was able to salvage to the bottom floor only to move them back up due to the rise in flood waters again with Hurricane Rita. I heard many stories of families that lost their homes and all their belongings; and like you, I wanted to help in some way. I knew that by myself I could only do so much. But as one Lauren family we were able to raise $23,119, which blessed over 40 families.

I visited the jobsite in September and brought with me various items that other Lauren employees donated, along with notes of encouragement for the men and women that were working hard onsite. I had a chance to speak with the employees, and all of them expressed personal thanks for the support that they were receiving from other jobsites and offices. I also had an opportunity to tour some areas by the jobsite. All the news clips that I watched could not have prepared me for what I witnessed. I was numbed as I saw so many homes severely damaged and families piling their clothes, washer, dyers, toys, TVs, and other possessions in mounds near the roads. With all the loss that so many people have experienced, I am happy to belong to a company and work with men and women that are willing to give so freely to help others in need.

- Kevin Porter

My recent trip to Bay St. Louis proved to be very fruitful. Our hard working brothers and sisters several states over received the Thanksgiving food that you provided with sincere appreciation. Living in such close quarters and far away from home is a task that takes very special people. Thank you for pledging your time and resources in a spirit of appreciation for what they do and a spirit of kindness for what they have endured. While a return to normal life may never arrive and progress is taken one step at a time, it means a lot to offer a helping hand – no matter how big or small. Thank you for offering yours.

Along with the joy of offering a helping hand, also came the came the sorrow of witnessing life there. Traveling to Gulfport, Mississippi was one of the most sobering and touching moments of my life. From my Continental aircraft high up, it looked like we were flying into a rich part of town – there were many tropical blue “swimming pools.” As we descended, however, more detail could be perceived. Lofty trees appeared to have been passed by a giant rake, and those tropical blue swimming pools became FEMA tarps attached to roofs for temporarily patching. The airport itself looked like the byproduct of a bombshell. Ted Hapworth drove me through the back-roads to get to the jobsite. An historical church, built in the late 1800s, was floated from one side of the street to the other when the salt waters rose. Tossed into piles on the sides of roads were the memories of a pre-hurricane life. Meeting one man who lost so much during this disaster touched my life. This co-worker had lost two homes, his vehicles, and every other possession he had acquired – yet he had a determined disposition. I asked him why he was optimistic. In a strong southern accent, he replied, “The minute you stop – you lose it. You just keep moving, you know – take baby steps. This week I will get the rubble and debris out of my yard. Next week, haul it off.” His eyes got moist, and he grinned. That was touching and relevant to my life – and I’m sure yours too. There is no happy ending or positive outlook at the end of this story. Things will never be the same again for many Mississippians and other South-Central inhabitants. With the advice given to me by a storm-weathered man, I now give to you – keep moving in impossible times...no matter how fast or slow.

- Jared Branch