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| PLANS Randy Harrison (center), administrator for the Jacksonville campus of the FBCH, and Darryl Hesler, a member of the board of trustees, review preliminary plans to connect the Jacksonville campus to city sewer. Madison and Matt are cared for at the campus. FBCH photo |
JACKSONVILLE (FBCH)—It’s raining again and Randy Harrison administrator for the Jacksonville campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes is locking the restroom doors in the office and chapel buildings due to the deterioration of the septic tank drain field that serves those buildings. Harrison is looking forward to the day when the Jacksonville campus can connect to the city sewer line in order to avoid these inconveniences.
Jerry Haag, FBCH president, said that they are working to raise funds to connect the Jacksonville campus to the city sewer line due to the rapid deterioration of its septic tank drain field.
“Someone once told me that ministry can sometimes be messy. However, I’m not sure that septic tanks and sewer systems were what they were talking about. We have an urgent need for our Jacksonville campus that will be getting messy if we don’t do something very soon,” Haag said.
Harrison said that all of the buildings on the Jacksonville campus utilize septic tanks, and said that the drain field for the septic tank which serves the office and chapel has deteriorated to the degree that it has very limited function.
“During periods of heavy rain the septic system is not useable. This presents a major inconvenience for visitors, staff, and children who must go to other buildings to use the facilities,” Harrison said.
“In addition, the City of Jacksonville requires that any new construction or remodeling on the campus will need to connect to the city sewer line, which means that our other campus buildings will eventually need to connect to the city sewer line as well.”
The Children’s Homes is planning to handle the connection of the Jacksonville campus to the city sewer line in two phases. Phase one would connect the office and chapel and include the construction of a lift station. Phase two would connect the rest of the buildings on the campus. Phase one will cost approximately $100,000 and phase two will cost approximately $300,000.
“These costs represent a large capital investment in the Jacksonville campus, but it is long overdue and will be of great benefit to the children and staff on the campus. When people think about the ministry of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes they probably don’t think about sewer systems and home improvements,” Haag said.
“However, as we all know providing a roof over our heads is not cheap and requires constant maintenance. And sometimes our homes require major repairs, which are not enjoyable especially when the costs are prohibitive.”
The Jacksonville campus was established in 1926, with many of the building being built in the 1940s and 1950s. Over the course of a year the campus will serve more than 100 abused, neglected, and orphaned children.
“We realize that times are difficult for many people, which is why we are even more grateful for the generous support that God’s people can provide during this time,” Haag said.
For more information on how to help with this project contact Julie Boyd at the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes at 863-687-8811 or JBoyd@FBCHomes.org.