Barna Log Homes and Hope for Chattanooga have partnered to build a log home for a Hurricane Katrina family. The Crandall’s came to Chattanooga looking for temporary housing, but after meeting local folks and experiencing southern hospitality, they decided to make Chattanooga home.

Barna Log Homes has committed to provide all the materials needed to dry-in the house including the logs, windows, doors, sub floors and the roof system. Additional funds and/or donations are needed to purchase finish materials, a lot on which to build and labor to complete the project.

Joe Folsom, the local Barna Log Home Representative, says, “We are planning to kick the project off with an old fashion log raising where everyone pitches in and the community comes together to begin building the home.”

Construction is targeted for the spring and will begin as soon as donations are collected to fund the remainder of the project. To volunteer time or to donate materials for the log raising please contact Joe Folsom at (423) 443-4638 or register on line at http://www.BarnaLogHomeSystems.com.

Tax deductible donations will be accepted at Hope for Chattanooga, c/o Crandall Log Home Project, 2517 McCallie Avenue, Suite 7, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or by logging on the web at http://www.hope4.org and selecting Donate. When donating on line, please remember to designate the gift for the Crandall Log Home Project.

Judson C. Crandall & Marie Crandall, both in their 70’s and married for 51 years, resided in their small retirement home located in Bay Saint Louis, Ms. when overcome by the Katrina Storm that completely submerged their home under water with a 27 foot tidal surge. When they returned and found complete devastation of their home and neighborhood, they began searching for another place to live.

While traveling east they found themselves passing through Chattanooga in search of temporary housing. Overwhelmed by the hospitality and people in Chattanooga, the Crandalls have decided to stay.

Barna Log Homes is the largest log home manufacture in the United States celebrating their 30th anniversary in October of 2005.

Barna now has new offices located in the Bennett Wholesale & Interior Décor Center at 2880 Amnicola Highway.

Hope for Chattanooga is a 5013c Christian community development corporation dedicated to bringing hope and revitalization to Chattanooga.