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Habitat seeks volunteersCORDELE, Sep 24, 2011 (Cordele Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Now that ground has been broken for a new home to be built locally by Crisp Area Habitat for Humanity, the first building blitz has been set, and volunteers are needed. While Habitat raises funds to buy many of the materials, all the labor is donated. Executive Director Sherry Evans said a supervisor will be on the site during the week of Oct. 17-23 to train volunteers and assist with framing up the home at 2124 Joe Wright Dr. S. "If you think you can hit a nail with a hammer, your services can be used," Evans said. Right now, Habitat is seeking volunteers over the age of 18. Other volunteers also will be needed to provide breakfast and lunch for the builders during the week. "Whether you can work a few hours, a full day or the whole week, there's a place for you," Evans added. Regular working hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and anyone who can help should contact Evans as soon as possible. "We will get all the contact information, then if we need to make any changes in the work schedule because of the weather or other issues, we will call all the volunteers and keep them updated." Habitat for Humanity houses around the world are built according to the same guiding principles. They are simple, decent and affordable. Habitat houses are modestly-sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum. Habitat uses quality, locally-available building materials, and the house designs reflect the local climate and culture. The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and no-profit loans make it affordable for low-income families to purchase Habitat houses. A single mother and her three children will purchase the home that is being built in Cordele. She and other members of her family will help with the construction, thus providing what is called "sweat equity." She also commits to assist with other Habitat projects, and she will pay for her new home at a zero percent interest rate. Because of the comraderie that usually develops among the volunteers, and also because volunteers are doing something to help someone else, building a Habitat home is a particularly rewarding experience, Evans says. She welcomes assistance from church and civic groups, business representatives and individuals. ___ (c)2011 the Cordele Dispatch (Cordele, Ga.) Visit the Cordele Dispatch (Cordele, Ga.) at www.cordeledispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |