Volunteers help growing family build solid foundation for the future

HILLSVILLE, Virginia — There were many tears of joy and gratitude shed on Saturday morning as volunteers, family members and community representatives gathered to bless the home of Amber and Josh Newman in Hillsville, Virginia.

However, one member of the Newman family did not shed a single tear. The Newman’s young daughter Kimberly was too busy running around with cousins, gleefully hugging extended family members and volunteers, and excitedly showing off “my room.” She just as eagerly showed off the bathroom that is all hers — at least until January of next year when her baby sister is due.

The simple, decent home sits in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Plateau with its million-dollar views and salt-of-the-Earth community. It’s a place where folks have always believed that hard work will solve almost any problem. Yet, like in many communities across America, affordable housing is an issue regardless of how hard a family may work to get ahead.

Volunteers came from multiple states to extend a hand-up to the Newman family as The Fuller Center for Housing — Greater Carroll County Area hosted its third weeklong Millard Fuller Legacy Build. What was a mere slab of concrete on Monday, September 9, took the shape of a beautiful new home over the course of just five days.

“It blows my mind that we got so much done in just a few days,” noted Josh, who works full-time as a foreman on a construction crew. “It really does.”

Take a look back at an incredible week through these photos and videos, and be sure to look for opportunities to get involved as a volunteer at fullercenter.org/volunteer or to support this important affordable housing ministry at fullercenter.org/donate.