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Dave England of Rouse Chamberlin heads up Habitat Build Blitz
Habitat for Humanity holds party for Blitz Build participants
For most of the year, they are competitors.
But when it comes to the biannual Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build, contractor members of the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties work side by side.
On Friday, the association held a Thank You party at Milestone Cafe in West Chester for members who donated time, resources and offered financial support to complete the construction of twin homes at 115 and 117 Poplar St. in the East End of the borough.
The Blitz Build was held in late September.
Poplar Street was the third Blitz Build for Tom Feehan of Broomall-based Feehan Plumbing and Heating.
"It's been a tough two years in the construction business," said Feehan, who donated his labor and his crew's labor along with pipes and fittings. "It was time to step up to the plate. We did both houses because no one else stepped up. But it's all good; to help people is the main thing."
Each house had a bathroom, powder room, kitchen and laundry. The fixtures were provided, Feehan said.
The plumbing job would have bid out for $9,000, said Feehan, a third-generation plumber in the business for 34 years.
"It's been good," Feehan said. "It's nice to give back."
Dale Smith's company, Sterling Kitchens of East Whiteland, provided the cabinetry and countertops for the kitchens, baths and powder rooms at both homes. Both he and his crew did the installation. And he wasn't done yet.
Smith gave his time to manage the job, set up a schedule and wrangle the trades.
Smith said he volunteered for the Blitz Build because he wanted to help the less fortunate, noting this is not charity, the families who move into the homes make mortgage payments.
"These people have to work," Smith said.
Smith, who has a sales job, said it was a nice change of pace to work in the trenches.
"I like to stay in the field, it makes me more empathetic (with workers), with their struggles," Smith said.
Poplar Street marks the fifth Blitz Build for the association. The other four were in the Coatesville area.
The Poplar Street homes are built, the carpet was delivered and installed Wednesday and the families are scheduled to move in June or July, said Dave England of Rouse/Chamberlin, who chaired the Blitz Build Committee with Ray Iacobucci of Iacobucci Homes of Havertown.
"Everybody gives back to the community in different ways," England said. "Home builders give back by using the skills they use every day."
England said he believes that housing is important and that helping people who do not have a homes is "close to our hearts."
"Every two years all the members chip in money, time and materials — siding, plumbing, framing, HVAC," England said.
It is a big event, England said. Over time it gets pulled together thanks to the work of the Blitz Build committee.
For England, the Blitz Build projects are personal.
"When I drive by the homes in Coatesville, I remember working, being on the roof," said England, who this year enlisted the help of his 17-year-old twins and his 22-year old.
Now they drive by the homes and tell their friends about working on this project.
Chip Huston, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, said the Home Builders never disappoint.
"They're great," Huston said. "They provide the labor, do all the fundraising and build very affordable homes for families. And they're always fun to watch."
The Poplar Street houses will become homes to a family from Africa (husband, wife and two children) and a family from South America (husband, wife and three children). All are permanent resident of the U.S., Huston said.
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