In just a couple of days millions of Christians will celebrate Christmas and the eternal gift that was given thousands of years ago. Regardless whether you are a believer or not, I encourage you to count your blessings and think about those less fortunate this Christmas. As RVers, we are blessed to be able to own a RV and the great lifestyle that comes with it. When we tire of RVing, most of us are blessed enough to be able to return to the comforts of our own conventional stick and brick house, while others across the United States can only dream of home ownership, let alone the hope of ever owning an RV.
RVers are in a unique position to assist those dreaming of home ownership while enjoying the RV lifestyle and there is no better time to commit to do so than this Christmas. God showed his love to us by sending his son to us at Christmas, so what better time to show our love to others.
RV Care-A-Vanners is a volunteer program for anyone who travels in a recreational vehicle, wants to build a Habitat for Humanity home and have fun doing it. RV Care-A-Vanners welcomes people of all ages, from all walks of life who want to pick up a hammer and help change lives. There are ample opportunities to learn and plenty of meaningful work for everyone. No previous construction experience is necessary!
Their vision:
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Their mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
They undertake their work to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus, acting in all ways in accord with the belief that God’s love and grace abound for all, and that we must be “hands and feet” of that love and grace in our world. They believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent, and that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people.
How you can become His hands and feet:
Join a build to help a less fortunate family. It could be in your state or thousands of miles from your home. Habitat for Humanity is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization meaning your transportation cost to and from (fuel) and lodging fees (campgrounds / RV parks) to and from the build are tax deductible when you volunteer.
If you are unable to join a build, you can still help by donating personally or having your RV club make a donation. The following are a few group donation examples from a recent RV Care-A-Vanner newsletter.
“The Escapees Habitat for Humanity BOF has disbanded. This group helped to keep the Care-A-Vanner program going a few years ago when our membership and builds were decreasing due to lack of leadership. We at the Care-A-Vanner desk appreciate these Escapees for keeping things going for us while we got the Care-A-Vanner desk reorganized. The chapter donated its remaining funds to the Care-A-Vanner program. We welcome all the Escapees Care-A-Vanner builders into our fold and thank you for your generous donation.”
“Generous donation: A special thanks to the Flakey Flyers Camping Club of Battle Creek, Michigan, for their donation to the RV Care-A-Vanner program. Founded 30 years ago as an RV Club for the Kellogg’s Company and now a Good Sam Chapter, they are three-time recipients of the Chapter of the Year Award. And thanks to our very own Chuck Ostrander, also a member of the club, who came home from the RV Care-A-Vanner 25th Anniversary Build and Rally and gave a presentation to the Flakey Flyers about our program. Watch for members of their group on Care-A-Vanner builds!”
This Christmas let us remember who we are called to serve. It is our Lord Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate each December 25th. Let us also remember what He taught us in Acts 20:35, which says: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Being His hands and feet, one of the best adventures in RVing! Merry Christmas!
Click here to learn more about the RV Care-A-Vanner program or to sign up for a build.
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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