Local Habitat for Humanity needs more help with new home projects
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on July 9, 2007 1:45 PM
Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro and Wayne County is looking for a few more people to swing hammers to help build homes for local families.
Volunteer coordinator Katie Huston said usually a couple dozen volunteers are working at the Habitat job sites on any given Saturday, but lately it's been closer to half that number. She has a few regulars who work every Tuesday and Thursday, but she would love to have 10.
Summer vacations make it tough to recruit volunteers, Ms. Huston said. But because the local affiliate has a busier than usual schedule, finding more help is important as the July busy season gets under way -- two houses are already under construction, with another scheduled to start in another week.
"As soon as we start the next house, we'll be in the framing stage, and that's the part everybody likes," Ms. Huston said.
Seeing walls go up is satisfying, she said.
But after that, there is still much to do to get the house ready for occupancy, Ms. Huston added.
She said she needs volunteers who are over 18 to help with the next steps. One of the houses is in the finishing stage, and the volunteers are putting in cabinets and interior doors. The other house is almost ready for sheet rock.
New volunteers are welcome. Habitat provides tools, but the volunteers are welcome to bring their own. The organization also provides water and lunch on Saturdays. Saturday lunch has been arranged by volunteers from four area churches, Garris Chapel, St. Luke United Methodist, Tabernacle of Prayer and First African Baptist.
The volunteers who come to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays usually bring their lunch and go right back to work, Ms. Huston said.
Habitat development director Sherry Archibald said she expects the company that is sponsoring one of the houses going up now on Franklin Court, CitiFinancial, will be doing a lot of volunteer work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"They're recruiting crews from offices in surrounding counties," she said. "CitiFinancial is very supportive of Habitat all over."
Work should begin on the Mount Olive house in early August.
"We would like to get that house done by the end of the year," she said.
The Mount Olive house and one in Goldsboro will be built during the United Way's Days of Caring.
"We don't expect the blitz-build to be finished, but it will be visual," Ms. Archibald said. "There will be such an accomplishment they will be able to see. I think it will encourage them to come back."
But meanwhile, things are moving a little slowly.
"We're so close to the beach, everybody's gone on weekends," she said. "Churches, Habitat work sites all have lower numbers in July."
Individuals, church groups and civic group are asked to help. Hours at the job sites are between the 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. For information, stop by the Habitat office at 131 E. Walnut St., Goldsboro or call 736-9592. You can also visit the Web site at www.habitatgoldsboro.org.