Since 2001, the Nativity Knights of Columbus Father Sikora Council #7992 and Nativity Parish, in partnership with the Appalachian Construction Crew, Inc—a Christian non-profit organization—have built 26 homes for families living below the poverty level in the heart of Appalachia. Nativity Knights are thankful to Nativity parishioners for their help to continue the home building effort in one of the poorest counties in our country.
Thank you for helping build the 27th Home!
On behalf of the Knights of Columbus, the Appalachian Construction Crew of Omaha, NE, and the Tucker family of three, we want to thank the Nativity family for their tremendous outpouring of support that made this home building effort possible. With the combined donations from Nativity, the Knights, and personal donations, our contributions totaled over $126,000, not including a truck load of household items provided by the Nativity family. With slightly over $10,000 raised from Omaha, the combined crews were able to again build a home for a very needy family. Good Shepherd Chapel selected the family. The Tucker family clearly had some challenges. The family lived in a dilapidated trailer that they rented with only two bedrooms and had an income of $30,500. This was the 27th home where Nativity and the Knights partnered with the Appalachian Construction Crew.
From May 28 to June 9, the combined crews were able to complete the home with two of those days dedicated to travel. The Nativity crew totaled 19 with 18 knights and a parishioner; Omaha sponsored 11 that included a support crew to help with feeding the Crew. Weather was challenging with rain, some very heavy at times, the first two days and decent weather for the next four days to complete the exterior. Notwithstanding the weather, with the larger crew, we were able to finish the home a day earlier. Local electrical, heating/air conditioning, and plumbing contractors worked at night to ensure the home was ready for critical inspections. Early Tuesday, we completed hanging all the sheetrock and applied the first coat on most of the joints and cleaned up the site for the house blessing. Literally, we completed all this work, exterior construction and interior rough-in, in 5 ½ days. We had the house blessing on Tuesday afternoon led by Father Carlos of Kentucky. That night we had the family over for dinner with the entire crew and presented the grandmother, Debra, with the keys to her new home. We also told them of all the household items that we brought from Nativity from the Christmas giving tree, in addition to the new beds we provided for all the family. The family was overwhelmed with the outpouring of help and the caring from the Nativity family. Debra was in tears and thanked everyone; she said: “I can’t believe that people who don’t know me would do something so wonderful.”
On Wednesday morning, the first crew departed, and the finishing crew took over. From Wednesday through Sunday, our Nativity finishing crew of seven, with Omaha’s three, stayed to do all the finishing. The finishing team completed all the drywall finishing, painting, hanging doors, trimming, and installing kitchen cabinets. The finishing crew left on Monday. All final inspections were completed by June 17, and appliances and new beds provided by Nativity will be delivered soon after. The family will move in before the end of June.
In addition, we were told how our outreach efforts were making a difference with wheelchair ramps, hygiene kits for over 200 kids, assistance with offsetting medical and utility bills, and with food assistance planned in the future.
May God bless you all for your caring and generosity!
About the 2025 Building Project
This year Good Shepherd Chapel in Whitley City selected the Tucker family of three to receive Nativity’s 27th home. The grandmother is raising two teenage grandchildren. The new home will be built on a lot next to the trailer they are renting. The family’s total income is $30,500.
Over a very compressed two weeks in June, the combined crews will build a 1,100SF, three-bedroom home, complete with porches, heating/AC, and appliances—the family assists if they are able. This will be our first home that connects directly to the city sewer system and will not require a septic system. A handyman prepares the foundation and because of county requirements, we must hire local electricians, HVAC specialists, and plumbers who work side-by-side with our crews to complete the home which has significantly added to our costs. Nativity will provide new complete beds for all the family members.
Please call Bob Corsi at 703-239-2890 if you have any questions or email him at bobcorsi@cox.net.
