Burners donate left-over lumber to charity
Published: September 15, 2006
The city that, for one week, had Nevada’s fifth largest population has recycled its foundations and walls.
For the first time, the wood left over after the approximately 39,000 Black Rock City residents departed Burning Man will be used in the construction of 13 low-income houses in Stead.
Steve Stegmeir, construction manager for Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity, estimates that the non-profit organization has received $10,000 to $15,000 worth of lumber, the largest donation he’s seen in his two and a half years with Habitat.
“These people don’t even live in this community,” Stegmeir said. “That just tells me that there are individuals who are so community-minded that they’re willing to fix a backyard that is not even theirs.”
Burners Without Borders, a group of volunteers who helped with the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief, decided to try recycling the lumber that was left over from camps and art exhibits. Previously, the wood that wasn’t hauled out of the desert was burned.
The Burners put out a few signs at the festival and waited to see what would happen.
“We were completely overwhelmed by the response,” project administrator Tom Price said. “But in a way, that’s predictable. Any idea that is community-minded takes off like a rocket.
“By addressing climate change and recycling on this scale, we’re putting a practical face on the ideals that the people of Burning Man share.”
It took nearly a week to sort the 20-foot mountain of lumber. The Burning Man group, helped by volunteers from Burning Man’s Department of Public Works, sorted the wood, then hauled it to Stead.
For some families, the donation will make a huge difference.
Certified nurse’s assistant Pearl Arteaga will be able to reunite her family under one roof as soon as her Habitat house is complete.
Arteaga lives in a motel with her son. She had to send her daughter and granddaughter to live in California. When the house is complete, they’ll all be reunited.
“If (Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity) weren’t here, I would never be able to buy a home,” Arteaga said. “It makes a big difference because you don’t have to worry about someone taking you out of your home to sell it.”
Families approved for Habitat houses are required to work 500 hours, but Arteaga has put in more than 2,000.
“I enjoy the labor and getting to know my neighbors as I build their houses,” Arteaga said.
Stegmeir can’t estimate how long it will take to finish the 13 houses because they’re made almost entirely with volunteer labor. Last Wednesday, not one of his scheduled volunteers showed up.
But the Burners’ generosity had Stegmeir marveling at the lumber that will make the process easier.
“This is huge,” Stegmeir said shaking Price’s hand. “Thanks guys.”
Price said they plan to recycle lumber from the Burning Man festival again next year.
“The force multiplier of gifting is incredible,” Price said. “The great thing about this is that it’s not an end. It’s a beginning.”
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