It sounds incredible, but thats exactly what happened when the Ocoee Region Builders Association (ORBA) and River Counties Association of Realtors (RCAR) held a fundraiser May 19 to help Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. "In May we aimed to raise $20,000 in 20 minutes," said Dwight Richardson, executive officer of RCAR. "We not only met that goal, but we actually raised $30,000 and did it in 15 minutes."

With funds and donations collected, the groups gathered volunteers - more than 200 of them - and set out to build one house in three days. Richardson also added, "Raising $30,000 and building a home in a weekend would have been a pipe dream without the help of Phillip Daniels and the Ocoee Region Builders Association."

"Three days! We did it!" said Phillip Daniel, president of Ocoee Region Builders Association (ORBA). Normally, construction of a new home takes from one to six months, but the Ocoee Region Builders Association (ORBA) and Ocoee River Association of Realtors (OCAR) shattered that standard.

The job began early on a Friday morning, with the workers showing up as the sun barely cracked the horizon. "We were blessed with people who worked relentlessly for nearly three full days, it was closer to 2 1/2," commented Jerry Franitza, construction supervisor of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.

"A steady crew of volunteers worked around the clock on Friday and Saturday and from 7 am until 7 pm on Sunday." Phillip Daniels was amazed at the volunteer spirit in the community. " One crewshowed up Friday night to put up drywall all night long after working a full day at their regular jobs.

Overall we had about 50 volunteers that showed up from Lee University that provided help that was greatly needed to keep pace with the written schedule. "Not only did these groups keep pace with the schedule but they actually finished five hours ahead of time! Phillips added, "None of this would have ever been possible if it was not for the hearts of people wanting to work towards a common good by volunteering their time and efforts."

We are looking forward to another exciting build with the Ocoee Region Builders Assoc. in the fall of 2006.