Written by: Josh Ervasti
Josh reflects on how helping build the new Abaco Animal Shelter connected back to his own family’s rescue dogs and the inspiring resilience of the local community.
If you gave me 100 guesses on what we would do on this trip, helping build an animal rescue would not have even crossed my mind.
Our family has two mini-Ausidoodle rescues, named Jack and Java. They have been a blessing to our home and we have been very fortunate to be able to give them the home they deserve. So, when our first project on our trip to Abaco was to help prepare the future home of The Abaco Animal Shelter, it was an awesome connection to this place and home.
The day started with our group’s introduction to Wain. He is a local gentleman who shared his story of losing everything as a result of Hurricane Dorian, and his strength and resilience to rebuild his family home and life in Abaco. His joy and excitement for the Many Hands team helping him with new siding for his house, as he was able to help us at the future shelter, was an inspiration to our team. It helped the team see the connection and the impact we would have in the community this week.
As I spent some time shoveling and spreading the sand for what would be the future runs for the dogs the shelter would serve, I couldn’t help but think about the home this place would be and the eventual families the dogs would bless as Jack and Java have blessed our family.
– Josh
