AmeriCorps leaves for Kentucky; new team on the horizon

Billy Honeycutt on a roofing job with AmeriCorps. Jean Gordon photo.

AmeriCorps NCCC Team River 7 that was serving in Rutherford County since mid-January were called away unexpectedly last weekend to help with the continued clean-up in Kentucky due to the tornadoes late last fall.

The team was scheduled to leave on February 26.

The team worked with Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) during the weeks they were in the county.

"We are so sad to lose they as they have been amazing," said RHP executive director Mel Ailiff.

In a month the team completed two shingle roofs, three trailer roofs, one deck, assembled cabinets, painted three rooms, cleaned the remaining items at RHP's properties at 161 and 169 Pennsylvania.

"We estimate in the short time they were here, their support freed up more than $25,000 we would have paid a roofing contractor," Ailiff said. "That's a huge impact.

"A huge, giant thank-you to Bill (Rev. Billy Honeycutt) who spent most of the roofing days helping train and support the team", she added.

Several members of the Women Roofers also assisted with the roofing projects.

Ailiff thanked RHP board members who help support, feed and encourage the team.

Marisa Switzman, team leader, expressed her thanks for the welcome to Rutherford County and hopes to visit again some time.

Ailiff continued, "The good news, however, is that we have lost this team for the last two weeks with us, we are receiving the next team from March 5 to May 10."