In the Summer 2022 Newsletter we reported that our twenty-three (23) year old Walk-in Refrigerator and Freezer boxes serving the Kitchen had failed. Mr. Rickie Tapman, owner of Tapman’s Refrigeration, with the help of Mr. Tony Gilkerson, installed temporary “loaner” condensing units on the roof to get the boxes operational again. But because the wooden floor under the walk-in units was failing, coupled with the age of the units, we knew that we had to replace the boxes with new ones on a new reinforced concrete foundation (not wood). The entire project was expensive, and the Christian Shelter did not have sufficient funds to undertake this project.
Fortunately, the Perdue Family learned of our need and gave the Shelter three significant gifts – two from Foundations and one personal. We are so very grateful to the entire Perdue Family for their response to our need. The Perdue gift was a major portion of the cost of the project, and it allowed the project to commence even though we did not have the entire amount needed to complete the walk-in box replacement project. Since the manufacturing lead time for new boxes was determined to be nearly five months (30 weeks) the Shelter’s Board of Directors decided to step out in faith and order the new boxes. This allowed us to get a Spring 2023 delivery date scheduled. Since that step of faith, the Lord has provided the remainder of the money necessary to complete this project. We are so very thankful for the funding and thankful that so many have responded to the needs of the poor, homeless and hurting that the Christian Shelter serves every day.
Harper & Sons was hired as the General Contractor for the project, which involved no less than five (5) subcontractors. Once demolition began and the old wooden floor was removed, multiple trades were involved to relocate utilities that were in the way of the new footer and foundation for the concrete slab which would support the new walk-ins. Bayside Fire Protection Co. rerouted a 4” sprinkler main, Triple J Electric rerouted an electrical conduit serving a 200-amp electrical panel and Real HVAC Services rerouted a 2” natural gas line.
The manufacturer shipped the new walk-in boxes to Tapman’s Refrigeration on March 23rd and they were installed by Tapman’s in the Christian Shelter’s kitchen on Thursday, March 30th. Wall modifications and new bulkhead and drywall work was completed as well as the necessary electrical work. During the week of April 3rd, Harper & Sons got the new flooring around the walk-in boxes ready for R & R Coatings to apply new epoxy floor coatings to the affected floor areas. Ceiling tiles, air devices and light fixtures were reinstalled. We achieved our goal to have the new walk-in boxes fully functional by April 10, 2023.
A special thanks to Harper & Sons acting as the General Contractor for this Project, to the Perdue Family, and also to Perdue, Inc. for loaning us an outside “freezer” truck for the duration of the Project which allows us to keep our frozen foods safely stored. If you would like to see the new walk-in boxes, please call the Shelter (410-749-5673) and request a tour. We would love to show you this new addition! We are blessed!
The video to the right is the segment that aired on WBOC’s “Delmarva Life” on April 17, 2023
