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| Disaster Management students Chris Burkholder, Kevin Eby, and Josh Dean, all freshmen from Harrisonburg, Va., work to install the sheathing for the roof on the playhouse that will be auctioned off at the Kansas MCC Relief Sale April 8 at the State Fairgrounds. |
March 21, 2006
In a red metal building located on a small farmstead east of town, the
director of the Disaster Management program and eight students, plus an
experienced residential contractor turned teacher, have been quietly building
a playhouse since mid-February.
But the plan they have for the playhouse is no big secret. It will be auctioned
Saturday, April 8, during the annual Kansas Mennonite Central Committee Relief
Sale at the State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
Russ Gaeddert, director of the Disaster Management program, said the process
of building the playhouse is giving eight students--two sophomores and six freshmen--enrolled
in the MDS Culture class "some construction experience. It will help them
become familiar with many phases of construction," he said, before seven
of them spend 10 weeks this summer at Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) project
sites in the U.S.
Teaching the students construction skills is Ivan White of Hesston, a licensed
residential contractor for 25 years who also taught industrial arts at Berean
Academy, Elbing, Kan., for 15 years. White is taking time off work for what he
calls "a mission project. It's been wonderful and a privilege," he
said. "These students are great.
"This project gives them an introduction to the materials, how they're used,
and where they go," he explained, "so when they're on an MDS site,
they'll better understand what to order and how to use the materials.
"My desire and prayer is that all of these students can become strong, helpful
leaders for MDS or elsewhere," he said.
Back to the playhouse, in case you bid on it. The space inside is six feet by
eight feet, with a ceiling more than six feet high. The peak of the shingled
roof is nearly 10 feet high. It has three small windows, a five-foot high door,
a porch extending three feet in front, complete with a hand railing. The outside
of the house is made of lap cedar siding that will be painted. Its built-in foundation
is made of three 6"x6" treated beams.
White estimated that the playhouse has about $1,500 worth of material in it.
Gaeddert said Kropf Lumber of Hesston donated the materials, and Premier Building
Products of Newton donated the windows. In addition, John Schrock of Hesston
donated some money to help purchase other needed materials. The playhouse is
being built on the property of Dean and Sondra Leatherman, located on Hoover
Road, just east of the Hesston city limits.
Sophomore Eric Schmucker, Sacramento, Calif., said he's done construction and
demolition work before. But this experience is different. "In past experiences,
it was 'Cut this,' 'Do this,' 'We need this,'" he said. "Mr. White
asks, 'How do we solve this'? He's involving us more than I've experienced in
the past."
According to Schmucker, the project has been fun. "We like to tease and
joke with each other and have a good time," he said. "But it also has
helped to build relationships, which will be important at MDS sites."
As a sophomore, Schmucker only had opportunity to take one year of courses in
the Disaster Management program, which began last fall. He won't work at an MDS
site this summer, but would like to do some MDS volunteer work sometime.
"There are lots of opportunities to help people," he said, "and
serving with MDS is an excellent place to make a difference."
Freshman Alicia Hertzler, Marietta, Pa., says building the playhouse has been
a lot of fun and a good learning experience about house construction. "We're
learning how to work together in small groups, like what we'll be doing this
summer," she said.
Hertzler also appreciates working with White. "He's a good teacher and explains
things well so we understand what we're doing," she said. "He doesn't
just give orders, but helps us understand the process."
She plans to be present when the playhouse is auctioned. "We're very proud
of it," she said.
Hesston College Disaster Management program