To celebrate the dawning of a new millennium, a Ground Breaking Ceremony was held for the 2000 GMWP house, at the building site in Lebanon, on New Year's Day 2000. After meeting at the Cracker Barrel in Mount Juliet, Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Brother K.I. Wright and his motorcycle gang traveled to the building site and are shown arriving in the photo at left.

Brother Boduch briefly spoke about the history of the GRAND MASTER'S WORK PROJECT, and mentioned that the 2000 GMWP house will be the first build in Middle Tennessee through that program. He then introduced Deputy Grand Master R. W. Brother K. I. Wright. Brother K. I. thanked everyone for coming to get the new millennium off to a great start. He said he foresaw great things for Tennessee Masonry as we begin a new century, and said he was glad that we were beginning on the first day. He wasted no time in turning the first shovel of dirt (see photo at right).

The VISION 2013 movement was begun in 1994 by then Grand Master M.W. Brother Tom Hager. Both he and M. W. Brother John Pamer (1994 Junior Grand Warden and 1997 Grand Master) have been instrumental in the continued development of the VISION 2013 movement. After recognizing their contributions, Brother Boduch then invited them to turn the next shovels of dirt. Shown in the photo at left are (from left to right) 2000 GMWP Director (and Wilson HFH Treasurer) Bro. Corky Hester, Brother Tom Boduch, R. W. Brother K. I. Wright, M. W. Brother Tom Hager, M. W. Brother John Palmer and VISION 2013 coordinator, Brother Alan Smith.

One effort which has raised considerable money to sponsor the 2000 GMWP house is the PENNIES FROM HEAVEN program, initiated by 2000 GMWP Director Brother Corky Hester. Setting a great example of a host Lodge, Lebanon Lodge #98, for example, has raised over $2,200! Shown in the photo below are Joyce Miller (center) and her daughter Tammy Edwards, presenting Brother K. I. Wright with $100 in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN collections.

Brother K. I. Wright (see photo at left) then presented future homeonwer Pam Sadler with a "pre-construction" housewarming gift from Doric Lodge #732. Pam is shown with her children Tierra (to her right--age 10) and LeAndre (to her left--age 8). At far right is William Hollis, another HFH homeowner who will be living 2 doors down from Pam and her family.

All HFH homeowners are required to work 500 hours of 'sweat equity'--time and effort building their own house and helping build the houses of others. Pam and her children have already worked over 250 hours of sweat equity on other HFH of Wilson County Houses. Her children have helped by cleaning up work sites and doing office work such as stuffing envelopes and helping mail the affiliate's monthly newsletter.

HFH of Wilson County Executive Director Cyndie Todd and affiliate President Reggie Mudd both praised Pam and her family for their dedication, and are shown in the photo at right continuing the ground breaking.

Many Local Masonic Leaders were also present. Shown in the photo at left are (from left to right) District 13 Chairman Brother Gene Snowden, Grand Tall Cedar Brother Ben Hamilton and District 8 Chairman Brother Bobby Joe Vaughn.

Shown in the photo at left (from left to right) are District 12 Chairman Brother Jolly Taylor, and Lebanon Lodge #98 Worshipful Master (and Amaranth Worthy Grand Patron) Brother Garry Owens. Several Worshipful Masters were also present including Brother Jerry Belcher (Mt. Juliet Lodge #642), Brother David Stricklin, (Joppa Lodge #411) and Brother Milton Hager, (Edgefield Lodge #254).

Several present traveled several hours to attend the ceremony. Shown in the photo at right (from left to right) are Rockford Lodge #469 Past Masters David Williamson and Larry Price. Brothers Williamson and Price provided considerable leadership and labor for the (first) 1998 GRAND MASTER'S WORK PROJECT, which took place in their home of Blount County in East Tennessee. They also worked at the 1999 GMWP in Lexington.

Representing Centerville Lodge #618 were District 6 Chairman Brother Ron Coates (along with his parents), and Brother Pee Wee Kelly. Present from Sparta Lodge #99 were Treasurer Brother Robert Hall and Past Master Brother Robert Officer

One factor which makes the GMWP a great success is appendant body participation and this spirit was present at this ground breaking as well. Honored Lady Mary Owens presented a check for $50.00 from the Amaranth in honor of Grand Worthy Patron Sir Knight Garry Owens. Shown in the photo at right, with future homeonwer Pam Sadler and her family is Tennessee Grand Tall Cedar Brother Ben Hamilton.

Finally, it was time to part ways (for now) and R. W. Brother K. I. Wright is shown in the photo below preparing to ride off into the sunset.