As realtors, Jack and Sandi Falk know plenty about
helping a client find a dream home. Recently, though, the
term “dream home” has taken on a whole new meaning for the
couple, who recently completed a trip that to East Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, to help build new homes for former New
Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
For their efforts in Louisiana and their previous work
to bring medical care to farm workers in Mexico, the Falks
recently received a humanitarian award from the Roseville
Sunrise Lions Club.
The Falks’ decision to go to Louisiana to help
hurricane victims stemmed from the frustration the couple
felt as they watched television footage of the storm and its
aftermath.
“When Katrina hit, Sandi and I wanted to help immediately,”
Jack recalled. “We wanted to be there in person and show
them that America cares about them.”
Showing they care, the Falks boarded an airplane this May
and flew, at their own expense, to Louisiana, where they
helped a group from Habitat for Humanity, the international
nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds
low-cost homes for families that need shelter.
The Falks spent a week helping build 14 homes in one
East Baton Rouge neighborhood, spending most of their time
working with other realtors and lenders from across the
country on solid, if not fancy, houses for hurricane
victims. Much of the work took place in less than ideal
weather.
“It was hot and humid and it rained about daily,” Falk
said. Working in a newly-created subdivision, the crew
methodically built one-story homes with three bedrooms, one
and a half bathrooms, and a carport.
“The homes were all pretty standardized, and we had a
lot of help,” Falk said. “All of the concrete slabs were
already poured when we arrived, and all the landscaping,
plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning) work was done by professionals.”
For Falk, the looks on the faces of the people getting
new homes was the best, most memorable part of the trip.
“All the people were really nice and so appreciative,”
he said. “Sandi said she’ll never forget seeing the joy in
the peoples’ faces. We let them know that strangers care
about them and want to help them.”
The trip to Louisiana this June was not the first time
the Falks have
spent their own money traveling to aid people in need; the
couple also has traveled to Mexico to help build medical
clinics for farm workers. Jack sees some similarities
between the trips.
“In both cases, we were able to give back and give
hope, and we were able to make an immediate difference in
someone’s life,” he said. “Also, in both cases, we left
realizing there was lots more work to do there.”
