Orphan Grain Train - International Office construction

Building on Living Stones: Orphan Grain Train International Office construction

May 11, 2007 - Norfolk, Neb. - Orphan Grain Train's International Office staff moved into their new office building on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006.

First conceived in 2000 when Orphan Grain Train's annual shipments averaged between 50 and 70 semi loads, the original plans called for a single-level office building. A two-year delay followed the Sept. 11 attacks before planning resumed.

With the Asian tsunami of 2004 and hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Orphan Grain Train's role in disaster response was redefined. It became clear that the basement level would need to be finished in order to keep up with the continuous growth of Grain Train's regional divisions and disaster response capabilities. With both levels fully wired for network connectivity, the office building will be able to support twice as many staff and volunteers than originally planned.

As of May 11, 2007, $180,134 is still needed to cover total construction costs. Only gifts designated by their donors for "Building on Living Stones" are used for this effort.

Special gifts and faith commitments toward "Building on Living Stones" are still being sought at this time.

If you would like to be counted among the contributors to this project, please contact Richard Jostes, Director of Development, and tell him you want to learn more about the "Building on Living Stones" project. He can be reached at: info@ogt.org or by calling (402) 371-7393, Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

A printable form for pledges and donations can be downloaded here.

Online donations are also being accepted. Click on the button below to visit our secure PayPal page.

Nov. 14, 2006 - Orphan Grain Train's new office building is now fully operational. Presently, nine volunteers (five full-time) and five staff members occupy the offices. Empty boxes accumulated Monday morning as staff and volunteers brought the new offices to working order.

Disaster response coordination volunteers Aaron Walter and Vern Steinman at work on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Jerry Jaroska, OGT volunteer, installs computers at workstations in the new offices.

Aug. 11, 2006 - Laborers for Christ Larry Tewes and Henry Meyer install wood trim.

Apr. 11, 2006 - Volunteers John Davis, Norfolk, and Dwaine Rethwisch, Wayne, Neb., trim insulation for a basement wall.

Orphan Grain Train International Office
PO Box 1466
Norfolk, NE 68702
(402) 371-7393
FAX (402) 371-7350
email@ogt.org