The Coastal Club of the YMCA met on November 6. After opening the meeting with song and a salute to the flag, the group of thirteen members had devotions led by Marge Drisco. Marge reflected on the privilege of voting and how that was the basic issue that led to the American Revolution. The colonists wanted some say in how they were governed. The British later tried to take back the colonies during the War of 1812 by impressing seaman. Despite the unequal odds in terms of money, troops and training, the colonists won and we became the United States.

Today's topic was Rebuilding Together, an organization that focuses on helping people to stay in their own homes. Safety, warmth and independence are stressed when working to fix up the residences of the elderly, the low-income or families with children. Joyce Armendaris offered statistics on the national program. The local organization, one of three in Maine, was started in 2002. In those five years, ninety-nine projects have been completed. They range from painting, reinforcing porches, building ramps, cleaning gutters to replacing roofs. About $125,000 has been spent with many hours of volunteer labor.

Skip Kearhling spoke of his recent experience on the Gulf coast of Mississippi where volunteers worked on six houses. Three were almost completed by the six teams of twenty-five. The house he worked on went from studs to dry wall to painted walls to three of five rooms ready for occupancy.

Tammy Blackman shared a story of our local group helping a family in Jefferson adapt a mobile home to accommodate the mother who is now in a wheel chair due to paralysis following an auto accident. If you would like to apply for some help for yourself or someone you know of, call 633-3000 (Sarah Giles) or Tammy Blackman at St. Andrews 633-2121.

Lisa Burger will deliver a Thanksgiving message on Nov. 20 and Safe Passages will be the topic Nov. 27.

The meeting was adjourned.