Jim Holmgren

The Bucher Box Jim Holmgren

Harry's Guys and the unvarnished pronouncements of "Broomie". The grumpy old plumbers, wrought in the "boiler-room hell" and "pools of icy dragon swill" of New York City. The "girls-gone-wild" who spin out of control till Penny steps in and saves the day. As co-build captains on a house-restoration project for a volunteer nonprofit housing organization, Lundy's and Carl's work days are never humdrum and are often humorously unpredictable. One day during the gutting stage, Lundy uncovers a simple, yet beautiful, Bucher box (pronounced boo-ker). Its haunting contents set him on a journey to discover the history of the house and the family who built it in Poughkeepsie, New York in the 1850s. As he uncovers a long-forgotten immigrant story, layer by layer, the volunteers rebuild the house, step by step. When the house is finished, Lundy completes the story with an unexpected, poignant leap to the present. The endearingly-human characters in this tale experience fulfillment and even fun in their volunteer work. But they are also often struggling with life ... dealing with loss, seeking belonging, atonement, love. Their personal stories converge as they complete their home-building goal for a most-deserving family. And they come to understand that the Bucher box will always be their bond. Jim Holmgren has drawn much of his inspiration for this book from his work as a volunteer and build captain for Habitat for Humanity. He lives with his wife Alste, who is a Habitat ReStore volunteer, in the scenic and historic Mid-Hudson Valley of New York. "Jim Holmgren has truly captured the essence of volunteering in this heart-warming story. I laughed. I cried. I enjoyed the many unforgettable characters as they wove their way into becoming a family. The Bucher Box will stay with me always." Maureen Lashlee, Director, Dutchess County Habitat for Humanity. This is believed to be the first novel written based on the Habitat for Humanity volunteer experience. All net proceeds from its sales will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.