4th Annual OM Holiday Sale

Holiday sale and silent auction Dec 2 offers unique gifts while addressing homelessness

Madison-area residents can be part of a ho-ho-homegrown solution to homelessness this holiday season!

The OM Build – OM Village Tiny Homes: Occupy Madison, Inc holiday sale and silent auction will run one day:
Sunday, December 2 from 11 am to 3 pm
at OM Village, 304 North Third Street in Madison.

Raging Grannies will perform holiday tunes at 1 pm and Mike Winckler will sing folk songs at 11:15.

The sale will feature a wide variety of unique holiday gifts made by OM residents and volunteers, including Wisconsin-shaped cutting boards, holiday ornaments, holiday trees from reclaimed wood, handmade rolling pins, jewelry, decorative magnets, potted plants … and more!

The silent auction will include fabulous items from local businesses and artists… and more!

Shoppers at the OM Village Holiday Sale will enjoy refreshments and take tours of the OM Village Tiny Homes, 98 square foot residences that allow formerly homeless community members to enjoy warmth, safety and privacy in a supportive community on Madison’s east side. OM Village remains the only village of formerly homeless people to be integrated into a residential community in the entire United States.

Since Occupy Madison’s founding in 2011 and OM Village’s opening in 2014, the nonprofit has gained support from neighbors and admirers across the country and around the world. The proceeds from the OM Holiday Sale will go towards completion of the village, which includes adding community space, a kitchen and four more Tiny Homes.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Big thank you to all those who turned out and all the help to get OM Build this far. It truly is amazing what people can do when they work together. It truly is a grass roots effort with no contributions of money from local government, and all volunteer run.

Check out our Facebook Volunteer Page to become involved in the next steps! And check out our donation page if you have a couple of dollars to donate — we had a hiccup with the link this past week, which is now fixed.

Lucigen-10-24-2014 (9 of 11) Lucigen-10-24-2014 (8 of 11)

New Year with OM Build!

OM Build TIny House Weekly Update:

Fundraiser Party: Saturday, Jan. 11th, 1pm-5pm at High Noon Saloon in Madison (map) Join us as we celebrate completion of our fist tiny house, and do the “offical” hand-over of the keys to long-time Occupy volunteers Chris and Betty. We’ll also be holding a silent auction of some amazing craft-y creations by OM Build volunteers, all made from re-purposed pallet wood. Can’t make it to the fundraiser? Donate here… 

This week: Work will focus on finishing up craft items for the fundraiser silent auction on Saturday, and then cleaning/organizing the shop to prepare for the start of work on House 3. Work continues on House 2 as well, finishing insulation, interior paneling, windows and the door. We welcome volunteers at all skill levels, training and close supervision will be provided by OM Build shop managers. Please be sure to dress warmly, some work may be outside.

Shop Hours – Week of Jan. 6th – Jan. 11th:
Tuesday 1/7  6:30-10pm Shop Manager: Robert B
Thursday 1/9  3pm-7pm Shop Manager: Allen B
Friday 1/10  7pm-10pm Shop Manager: Luca C

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: We will be continuing with an informal sign-up process. Just go to the shop at one of the above posted times, and join in!
We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint.

News and volunteer hours week of 11/18

Channel 15 reports on roll-out of first Tiny House:
Tiny House #1 is now ready to head out onto the street, and Channel 15 was there to report on our progress and interview some of our volunteers. Click here to watch their report.

Roof construction begins on House 2:
We began construction of two prefab roof sections for House 2 on Friday. This coming week, we will focus on finishing the roof sections and moving House 2 outside, where we can drop the roof sections into place with our custom-built Occupy Crane. Then interior work on House 2 will continue, and the shop will be clear to begin work on House 3!

PalletPallooza planned for Saturday:
Last week’s PalletPalooza was such a success (making enough pallet-wood siding for one house, and salvaging enough 2×4’s to frame about half of House 3) that we’re planning another one for Saturday the 23rd. Chili and hot chocolate will be served!

This Week’s Shop Hours:

Tues 11/19: 6:30-9:30, Manager: Rob B

Wed 11/20: 5:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W

Thus 11/21: 7:30-9:30, Manager: Peter G


Fri 11/22: 6:00-10:00, Manager: Luca C
Sat 11/23 Noon-5pm: PalletPalooza, Manager, Steve B

Shop location:
4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure:
For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per shift. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.

Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

CLICK HERE to sign up!

This Week’s Volunteer Sign Up!

Greetings from Occupy Madison’s OM Build Tiny House Project!

This is our second weekly volunteer update. We’re sending this to you because you indicated an interest in volunteering with OM Build’s Tiny House Project.

Pallet-Pallooza makes a house worth of siding and lumber:
Saturday’s Pallet-Palooza event brought together nearly a dozen volunteers to deconstruct stacks of pallets, making enough reclaimed pallet wood to side one tiny house, and nearly enough reclaimed 2×4’s to frame a house. Thanks to all the volunteers who turned out!

Video Tour – Tiny House at night:
Thanks to Bruce for a nighttime video tour of our first house, showing the ultra-efficient LED lighting and battery system, soon to be powered by a solar panel donated to us by the University of Wisconsin engineering school. Click here to take the tour!

This week’s shop hours:
Tues 11/12: 6:30-9:30, Manager: Rob B
Wed 11/13: 5:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W
Thu 11/14: 7:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W
Fri 11/15: 1:30-6:00, Manager: Steve B
Fri 11/15: 6:00-10:00, Manager: Luca C

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per shift. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.
Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.

Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

CLICK HERE to sign up!

Volunteer Opportunities for Week of 11/5/13

This week’s volunteer opportunities:
Tuesday, Nov. 6th 6:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Rob Bloch
Wednesday, Nov. 7th 5:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Bruce Wallbaum
Thursday, Nov. 8th 7:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Peter G.
Friday, Nov. 9th, 6:00pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Luca Clemente
Saturday, Nov. 10th, noon-5:00pm Shop Manager: Steve Burns Pallet-Pallooza! Chili and hot chocolate will be served
CLICK HERE  to sign up for volunteer hours.

Other Updates:

This is our first weekly volunteer update. We’re sending this to you because you indicated an interest in volunteering with OM Build’s Tiny House Project.

OM Build is making progress!
A recent vote in the Madison Common Council changes Madison’s zoning ordinances,  allowing local churches and nonprofits to host our tiny houses.

Our first house is nearly complete, and ready to move into the neighborhood near the OM Build Shop on Argosy Court.

Our second house is still under construction, and most of our work this week will focus on getting House #2 ready to move outside the shop – making space to begin construction on House 3! Work on House 2 includes completing exterior siding of reclaimed pallet wood and work on the roof sections.

We’ve got a full schedule of evening hours below, and a special “Pallet-Palooza” event planned for Saturday.

For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per night shift and 8 at the Saturday Pallet-Palooza event. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.
CLICK HERE  to sign up for volunteer hours. Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

Week of June 30

June 30:  Allen busts studs with table saw

Rescuing materials from Just Coffee during their move
Rescuing materials from Just Coffee during their move
Salvaged lumber
Salvaged lumber
Dumpster diving for lumber
Dumpster diving for lumber
Bruce and Allen, dumpster divers
Bruce and Allen, dumpster divers
Beautifully painted trailer frame
Beautifully painted trailer frame
Terre works on the deck for the trailer
Terre works on the deck for the trailer
Allen
Allenallen 3
Keith
Keithkeith drilling

keith steve allen

July 1:  We made the news!

July 2:  

noah birthday
Birthday celebration!
hap
Hap works on the wall studs
steve and luca

July 3:  We made the news again!

July 5:  Take a tour of our workshop courtesy of Bruce

Watch Noah shred some pallets.  It’s satisfying work!

Stack of pallets
Stack of pallets
Peter on a pallet run
Peter on a pallet run
Shredding pallets
Shredding pallets
Rescued this countertop and sink from the curb in front of Just Coffee - they're moving, and it needed a new home
Rescued this countertop and sink from the curb in front of Just Coffee – they’re moving, and it needed a new home

kitchen sink

We found some steel!
We found some steel!
Rae
Rae
A visit from City Alder Marsha Rummel
A visit from City Alder Marsha Rummel
ed and anne
Lumber rack

 

 

Week of June 23

June 23: Volunteer for two shifts at OM Build and receive a first edition OM Build hat! Elite list of hat earners: Keith, Betty, Chris, Luca, Steve, and Rae

Volunteer hat
Volunteer hat
House plans
House plans

June 28:

Storage rack for completed all panels
Storage rack for completed all panels
Terre and Steve work on the storage rack
Terre and Steve work on the storage rack

steve and terre

OM Truck
OM Truck
Building plans on our idea board
Building plans on our idea board
Betty and Chris are interviewed by a Capital Times reporter
Betty and Chris are interviewed by a Capital Times reporter

cap times interview 2

A full schedule thanks to our wonderful volunteers!
A full schedule thanks to our wonderful volunteers!

Week of June 16

June 17 (Day 10):

Betty operates the drill:  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4878924814937&set=vb.421215821319212&type=2&theater

schedule
Build schedule
steve and chris
Steve and Chris debating the location of the potty
trophy wall
Trophy wall

award

resolution

June 18: We built the first part of House #1 today, one of the two floor panels. Off to a great start, everything nice and square thanks to careful work by Rae and Keith!

June 19:

Our banner
Our banner
Floor panel
Floor panel
Pallet easel designed and built by Steve and Luca to facilitate pallet disassembling
Pallet easel designed and built by Steve and Luca to facilitate pallet disassembling
Planed pallet boards ready to use as flooring or siding
Planed pallet boards ready to use as flooring or siding
Wall of tools
Wall of tools