Rufty Philanthropy: Vision To Serve In Panama
Thursday, October 5
Categories: Philanthropy
From time to time we like to share what the Rufty Homes staff is up to when we’re away from work. Kelly Nicholson and her husband, Jamie, recently returned from another mission trip to Panama, a country they also visited back in 2016. On this return trip to Panama, they participated in a mission to Puerto Armuelles. Read on for a Q&A with Kelly upon her return.
Q: You had a new destination in Panama this time, where is Puerto Armulles?
KN: It’s a town of about 25,000 people, located on Panama’s Pacific Coast and only about 5 miles from the border with Costa Rica to its north. Puerto Armuelles is 8 hours from Panama City by auto. Though, it took us longer to get there, because we managed to lose GPS signal, got stuck in the mud and had a flat tire.
Q: How many people participated in the mission this time?
KN: Our mission had a total of 19 people in our group with Truth for Today Medical Missions. Dr. Greg Waller and his wife, Linda, led the trip.
Q: What did you do with Truth for Today Medical Missions while in Panama?
KN: The organization is a non-profit rooted in Christianity that provides medical and vision care to those with the greatest need around the world. Over four days, we established a medical and vision clinic in Puerto Armuelles where we were able to provide glasses for 929 patients. The medical staff served 626 patients and filled 1,881 prescriptions.
Q: Can you tell us about how local churches got involved in outreach?
KN: A local pastor and his church partnered with us to meet one-on-one with many of the residents we served over those four days. This pastor was blind and was excited that we were offering glasses to those in need. He made sure the clinic was well-promoted on radio and elsewhere. In fact, hundreds of people were waiting each morning for the clinics to open. Even though the lines stayed long throughout the day, everyone was kind, patient, and appreciative of the care they received.
Q: Were you also able to return to the Panama town you visited last year?
KN: Our trip back to fly out from Panama City went much smoother, so we were able to stop in David, the location of our mission last year. It was such a treat as we had dinner at a local children’s home. Our group brought an American football to play catch with the older boys. We also brought frisbees to play with the younger girls and boys. The teen girls were initially a bit shy, but with a little encouragement they opened up and we had fun conversations.
Q: With your role at Rufty Homes, are you drawn to building styles on mission trips like this?
KN: Of course, everywhere we went, I enjoyed examining the homes and the styles of building in Panama. Most all structures are made of concrete block. Though, there was a definite American influence to the homes in parts of Puerto Armuelles. The presence of Chiquita’s banana operations from 1928 to the early 2000s had an impact on residential and commercial development in that area.
It’s also interesting to see how simple buildings serve such utilitarian purposes in other parts of the world. An orphanage in David was housed in a large building that was built in a way that it could be easily expanded. The orphanage currently shelters children from abusive homes, and there are plans to expand it over the next few years. The result of this structure’s built-in flexibility is that it will allow them to help more area children.
Q: It’s probably safe to say this was another “mission accomplished”?
KN: Indeed, it was an overall great trip and an enjoyable experience again in Panama. The country has many expatriates from the U.S., and it’s a real blessing to serve on such a valuable philanthropy mission with people who are driven to do good in our world.
Announcements
- +Posts from 2020
- –June 2020 Newsletter
- –May 2020 Newsletter
- –April 2020 Newsletter
- –Spring Cleaning Checklist
- –Join Our Virtual Spring Cleaning Challenge!
- –Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Kelly Nicholson
- –March 2020 Newsletter
- –Southern Home Magazine March/April 2020
- –February 2020 Newsletter
- –Triangle Home Design & Decor February/March 2020 Feature
- –January 2020 Newsletter
- +Posts from 2019
- –December 2019 Newsletter
- –November 2019 Newsletter
- –Jon Rufty Featured on Guys Who Do Stuff Podcast
- –Helping to Guide the Interior Designers of Tomorrow
- –October 2019 Newsletter
- –Rufty Homes Featured as One of the Best Custom Home Builders in Raleigh
- –Vote for Rufty Homes in the 2020 Maggy Awards!
- –Join Us for A Rufty Homes + St. Jude Ice Cream Social
- –Welcome to the Newest Member of the Rufty Family!
- –Jon Rufty Awarded CEO of the Year by Triangle Business Journal
- +Posts from 2018
- –Open House Shared With Friends
- –Celebrate 30 Years In Custom Home Building
- –Office Build Out Creates Modern Home
- –Triangle luxury home market impacted by growth
- –Jon Rufty To Speak At Triangle Business Journal Real Estate Event
- –New Office To House Rufty Team
- –New Custom Home Nears Completion
- +Posts from 2017
- –Rufty Readies Another Build Inside The Beltline Raleigh
- +Posts from 2016
- –Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
- –Menjivar Joins As Assistant Project Manager
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Nicholson has visions on Africa
- –Jamison steps in as Business Development Coordinator
- –Rufty adds Grube as residential remodeling specialist
- –Spring Newsletter Showcases Newest Custom Homes
- –Custom built home by Rufty in Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine
- –Rufty Kitchen Remodel Featured In Stone World Magazine
- –Rufty Named Top Custom Home Builder By Triangle Business Journal
- –New Rufty Home To Be A Blount Street Original
- +Posts from 2015
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Kelly’s Mission to Guyana
- –Rufty Builds First Blount St. Home This Century
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Ken’s Mission to Honduras
- +Posts from 2014
- –Rufty Featured as Triangle Business Journal “Home of the Day”
- –Why We Use Houzz
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Kelly’s Mission to India
- –Found in the Archive
- –Rufty Homes Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award
- –Big Rufty News Coming From Houzz
- –Cary Magazine Readers Name Rufty “Best Home Building Company”
- +Posts from 2013
- –News & Observer Features NCSU Chancellor’s Award-Winning Home
- –Rufty Mentioned in Chancellor’s Circle
- –Regency Park Custom Home Featured in Cary Magazine
- –New Rufty ad appearing in Triangle Business Journal
- –See NCSU home in a recent Chicago Tribune article
- +Posts from 2011
- +Posts from 2009
Awards
- +Posts from 2019
- –Rufty Homes Featured as One of the Best Custom Home Builders in Raleigh
- –Vote for Rufty Homes in the 2020 Maggy Awards!
- –Jon Rufty Awarded CEO of the Year by Triangle Business Journal
- +Posts from 2017
- +Posts from 2016
- –Rufty Recognized for Blount St. by Capital Area Preservation
- –Rufty Named Top Custom Home Builder By Triangle Business Journal
- +Posts from 2014
- –Rufty Homes Project Viewed 3.6 Million Times On Houzz
- –Rufty Homes Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award
- –Cary Magazine Readers Name Rufty “Best Home Building Company”
- +Posts from 2013
- –Wake Living Mentions Rufty Custom Home Award
- –NBC17-WNCN Highlights Rufty Homes’ National Awards for Chancellor’s Residence
- –See NCSU home in a recent Chicago Tribune article
- –NCSU Chancellor’s Kitchen Named Room of the Year
- –Charlotte Observer Heralds Chancellor’s Custom Home Award
- –Chancellor’s Home Award Recognized by K+BB
- –Walter Magazine Showcases Rufty Custom Home for Chancellor
- –NAHB Honors Rufty Home Project
- –Builder Magazine Highlights Rufty Custom Kitchen
- +Posts from 2012
- –BIA Honors Rufty Custom Home Project
- –Cary Magazine Gives Shout Out to Rufty Homes’ Custom Approach
- +Posts from 2011
- +Posts from 2004
- +Posts from 2003
Construction
- +Posts from 2020
- +Posts from 2019
- –Building a Forever Home… and a Lasting Friendship
- –Helping to Guide the Interior Designers of Tomorrow
- –West Coast Influence in Raleigh
- –Mountain-Inspired Living
- –Curated Craftsman
- –Triangle Business Journal Luxury Homes
- +Posts from 2018
- –Office Build Out Creates Modern Home
- –Jon Rufty To Speak At Triangle Business Journal Real Estate Event
- –New Office To House Rufty Team
- –Jon Rufty Discusses Triangle Custom Luxury Market
- –New Custom Home Nears Completion
- +Posts from 2017
- –Sneak Peek At New Rufty Digs
- –Rufty Educates Next Generation Designers From Meredith
- –Custom Homes Showcased on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces”
- –Cary Magazine Ad Shows Recent Rufty Building
- –Triangle Business Journal Showcases North Hills Residence
- –Rufty’s Grube Installs Hayes Barton Little Free Library
- –Rufty Team Investigates Sintered Stone In Spain
- –Rufty Readies Another Build Inside The Beltline Raleigh
- +Posts from 2016
- –Rufty Homes Featured In Triangle Business Journal
- –New Rufty Van Serves Clients
- –New Rufty Home To Be A Blount Street Original
- +Posts from 2015
- –Rufty Builds First Blount St. Home This Century
- –When a tear-down is the only option
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Ken’s Mission to Honduras
- +Posts from 2014
- +Posts from 2013
- –See NCSU home in a recent Chicago Tribune article
- –Walter Magazine Showcases Rufty Custom Home for Chancellor
- +Posts from 2012
- –Rufty Homes Featured in NCSU Flickr Stream
- –Nation’s Building News Features Rufty Custom Home Chateau
- +Posts from 2011
- –Rufty Highlighted in Custom Home Building Article
- –Rufty Joins Other Home Builders for Special Project
- +Posts from 2004
- +Posts from 2003
- –Safety Institute Points to Rufty Concrete Homes for Safer Living
- –Cement Association Highlights Rufty Custom Home
- +Posts from 2002
- +Posts from 1998
Design
- –Let Your Love Grow: Triangle Home Design & Decor December 2020 Feature
- –5 Unique Client Design Requests That Will Leave You Feeling Inspired for Your Own Project
- +More
- +Posts from 2020
- –Frequently Asked Questions About the Custom Home Building Process
- –How to Create the Perfect Mudroom
- +Posts from 2019
- –Curated Craftsman
- –Triangle Business Journal Luxury Homes
- +Posts from 2018
- –Office Build Out Creates Modern Home
- –Apex Students Visit Sweetwater Jobsite
- –New Office To House Rufty Team
- +Posts from 2017
- –Sneak Peek At New Rufty Digs
- –Modern Bath Trends In 2017
- –Rufty Educates Next Generation Designers From Meredith
- –Custom Homes Showcased on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces”
- –September Walter Magazine Showcases Rufty Home
- –Cary Magazine Ad Shows Recent Rufty Building
- –Rufty Team Investigates Sintered Stone In Spain
- –Andersen family kitchen remodel featured in Triangle Business Journal
- +Posts from 2016
- –Rufty Homes Featured In Triangle Business Journal
- –New Rufty Van Serves Clients
- –Rufty Recognized for Blount St. by Capital Area Preservation
- –“Cream Puff” color kitchen is hot in custom homes
- –Custom built home by Rufty in Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine
- –Rufty Kitchen Remodel Featured In Stone World Magazine
- –New Rufty Home To Be A Blount Street Original
- +Posts from 2015
- –Rufty Builds First Blount St. Home This Century
- –When a tear-down is the only option
- –NC Design Shares How Analytics Help Jon Rufty Build Custom Homes
- –Meredith Interior Design Students Learn Custom Building With Rufty
- +Posts from 2014
- –Rufty Homes Project Viewed 3.6 Million Times On Houzz
- –Why We Use Houzz
- –Rufty Homes Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award
- +Posts from 2013
- –Hardwood Floors Magazine Touts Rufty’s Local Sourcing
- –News & Observer Features NCSU Chancellor’s Award-Winning Home
- –Wake Living Mentions Rufty Custom Home Award
- –NBC17-WNCN Highlights Rufty Homes’ National Awards for Chancellor’s Residence
- –New Rufty ad appearing in Triangle Business Journal
- –Rufty Custom Design of Chancellor Home Featured in Photos
- –Builder Magazine Highlights Rufty Custom Kitchen
- +Posts from 2012
Enthusiasts
- –Friends Gather To Christen New Workplace
- –Open House Shared With Friends
- +More
- +Posts from 2018
- –Celebrate 30 Years In Custom Home Building
- –Apex Students Visit Sweetwater Jobsite
- +Posts from 2016
- –“Cream Puff” color kitchen is hot in custom homes
- –Rufty Kitchen Remodel Featured In Stone World Magazine
- –Rufty Named Top Custom Home Builder By Triangle Business Journal
- +Posts from 2015
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Ken’s Mission to Honduras
- –NC Design Shares How Analytics Help Jon Rufty Build Custom Homes
- –Meredith Interior Design Students Learn Custom Building With Rufty
- +Posts from 2014
- –Rufty Homes Project Viewed 3.6 Million Times On Houzz
- –Rufty Talks Custom Home Building in Triangle Business Journal
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Kelly’s Mission to India
- –Cary Magazine Readers Name Rufty “Best Home Building Company”
- +Posts from 2013
- –News & Observer Features NCSU Chancellor’s Award-Winning Home
- –New Rufty Homes Brand Custom-Built By Misner
Environment
- –Rufty Homes Recognized as an Energy-Efficient Builder by Southern Energy Management
- –Custom Homes Showcased on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces”
- +More
- +Posts from 2017
- +Posts from 2015
Philanthropy
- +Posts from 2020
- +Posts from 2019
- –Help Kiss Blood Cancer Goodbye
- –Thanks for Showing Your Support!
- –Join Us as We Support St. Jude in the Fight to End Childhood Cancer
- –Join Us for A Rufty Homes + St. Jude Ice Cream Social
- +Posts from 2018
- +Posts from 2017
- –Rufty Educates Next Generation Designers From Meredith
- –Rufty Remodeling Guru Harry Grube Featured In Hayes Barton Living
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Vision To Serve In Panama
- –Rufty’s Grube Installs Hayes Barton Little Free Library
- –Rufty Philanthropy: Kelly Shares Vision
- +Posts from 2016
Press
- –Demand Rebounds for His Custom Homes: Triangle Business Journal
- –Let Your Love Grow: Triangle Home Design & Decor December 2020 Feature
- +More
- +Posts from 2020
- –Turning the Tables: October/November 2020 Triangle Home Design & Decor
- –No Rules: August/September 2020 Triangle Home Design & Decor Feature
- –Jon Rufty Gives Insight on COVID-19
- –One Kindesign Feature
- –Southern Home Magazine March/April 2020
- –Triangle Home Design & Decor February/March 2020 Feature
- +Posts from 2019
- –September 2019 Newsletter
- –July 2019 Newsletter
- –Triangle Business Journal Luxury Homes
- +Posts from 2018
- –Summer Newsletter
- –Triangle luxury home market impacted by growth
- –Jon Rufty To Speak At Triangle Business Journal Real Estate Event
- –Jon Rufty Discusses Triangle Custom Luxury Market
- –Triangle Business Journal Power Breakfast
- +Posts from 2017
- –Custom Homes Showcased on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces”
- –September Walter Magazine Showcases Rufty Home
- –Cary Magazine Ad Shows Recent Rufty Building
- –Triangle Business Journal Showcases North Hills Residence
- –Rufty Homes Named Among Triangle’s Top Remodelers
- –Andersen family kitchen remodel featured in Triangle Business Journal
- –A Look Inside Custom Homebuilding
- –Builder Magazine Features Rufty’s Window Work
- +Posts from 2016
- –Rufty Homes Featured In Triangle Business Journal
- –Rufty Recognized for Blount St. by Capital Area Preservation
- –Menjivar Joins As Assistant Project Manager
- –“Cream Puff” color kitchen is hot in custom homes
- +Posts from 2014
- +Posts from 2011
- +Posts from 1998
Remodeling
- +Posts from 2020
- +Posts from 2019
- +Posts from 2017
- –Sneak Peek At New Rufty Digs
- –Modern Bath Trends In 2017
- –Rufty Remodeling Guru Harry Grube Featured In Hayes Barton Living
- –Custom Homes Showcased on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces”
- –Rufty Homes Named Among Triangle’s Top Remodelers
Uncategorized
- –Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Rufty Homes!
- –Let Your Love Grow: Triangle Home Design & Decor December 2020 Feature
- +More
- +Posts from 2020
- –Small Business Saturday 2020
- –October 2020 Newsletter
- –September 2020 Newsletter
- –Frequently Asked Questions About the Custom Home Building Process
- –August 2020 Newsletter
- –July 2020 Newsletter
- –A Forever Home with a View
- +Posts from 2018
- –Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
- +Posts from 2002
- +Posts from 1995
Archives by Date
- +2020
- +2019
- +2018
- +2017
- +2016
- +2015
- +2014
- +2013
- +2012
- +2011
- +2009
- +2004
- +2003
- +2002
- +1998
- +1995