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Entryway.  Entrances, thresholds into another world, are important places as they set the tone for what is to come, and with this in mind, Mike Taylor lead his team to begin the arduous process of transforming the entrance, both outside and the grand two-story inside, of the Charles Drew Elementary School in New Orleans.   Global Hope volunteers, Mike, Teri, Dickie, Nick, Steve, Joe, Emily, Laura Ann, Roy, Ken, Teddy, Mary and others joined CGR volunteers, Elise, Larry, John, Myckal, Nick, Dylan as well as Frank, Larry & Gary from Georgia to paint the railings, doors, walls, and trim of this beautiful school built around 1905.  Initially the school was called Washington School but changed to honor Dr. Charles Drew for his discovery of blood types and his work against racial segregation of blood banks which saved many lives in WWII. (One of the wonderful things about service work and giving from the heart is you learn these little tidbits about the people and communities you serve.)

We had over 20 people “working from the heart”, repairing and painting exterior stair rails and doors and the interior doors and walls.  These wonderful volunteers were from Georgia, Washington, California, Minnesota, Kentucky and the great state of Illinois.  As the delightfully hot Nawlin’s sun was beating down on us we began prepping the doors and walls and many began painting the railing leading up to the doors.  The colors, chosen by another team, necessitated 2 coats so it took every one of these volunteers the full 4 days to finish the transformation.  Each day people worked steadily, without complaint, to finish the entrance.  If someone was called away, another would eagerly jump in and it was this sense of cooperation that fueled the effort. Not only was the building changed, so were all of the workers as we got to know each other a little better.   Michael Taylor

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