Howard Broussard lives in the likewise named city of Broussard, Louisiana. Now retired, he formerly worked for Southern Structures LLC, making building materials, and spent seven years as a volunteer boxing coach. When we met him for the first time, he told us that things have been hard for him since his wife died, but that he keeps going so he can look after his children. His son, Exalton, was a professional jockey, and was fortunate to have a home to go back to when an accident left him unable to keep working several years ago.
Howard was an applicant for our 2011 Annual Rebuilding Day, which we held earlier this month. His house was built in the 1950′s and the floors were in bad shape. Throughout most of the house, the sub-floor, the layer of beams, joists, and boards that lie between the flooring and the foundation, was covered with particle board, a type of wood made by pressing together sawdust and wood particles with glue. It’s not the strongest to walk on. In fact, large portions of the floor were sinking in where the support had given way underneath.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Rebuilding Day, we sent several AmeriCorps members to replace the particle board sub-floor with stronger plywood, which will remain solid for long after the old material would have crumbled away. On April 9th, a group of volunteers from Grainger Industrial Supply resurfaced the tile floors in the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. They also reset the exterior doors, replaced a light switch, repaired the siding, resealed a window, and installed insulation around the A/C window unit.
When we asked Howard if he has anything to share with RTA’s sponsors and volunteers, he said “I’ll tell anybody that supports yawl’s organization that y’all are good people. Every little bit helps and I appreciate everything that y’all have done for me.” Whenever we’ve spoken with him, he never once let an opportunity go by to praise us and show his appreciation. Early on, before we had sent any volunteers to his house, we were making plans to build him a ramp for his front door, but he stopped us and told us he could not possibly take a ramp when he believes that there are others around who need it more than he does. That’s just the kind of man Howard is, a thankful and generous person.
