Habitat of Forsyth Honors Volunteers at
Annual Volunteer
Celebration
Habitat
for Humanity?
It may have been delayed one week
because of bad weather, but Habitats
Mardi Gras Volunteer Celebration was
no less festive! About 150 attendees
gathered to honor those who have
volunteered at least four times for
Habitatfor Humanity of Forsyth County
in the past year.
The normal bright lighting of the Habitat ReStore
on Coliseum Drive was dimmed, and the room
was lit instead with thousands of white Christmas
lights. Hundreds of pieces of furniture, appliances
and building supplies for sale in the ReStore were
cleverly concealed behind backdrops depicting the
famous wrought iron-trimmed balconies of the
French Quarter.
A number of volunteers who had donated at least
75 hours of their time in the last year received
the Presidents Volunteer Service Award from the
Corporation for National Community Service.
Bronze awards were given for 75-150 hours of
service; silver awards were given to those who
volunteered 150-250 hours; and gold awards were
given to those who hadserved more than 250 hours.
Sylvia Oberle, executive director of Habitat Forsyth,
presented the Corporations most prestigious award -
the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to those who
have devoted at least 4,000 hours to one organization
- to longtime volunteer Dan Pearson. Oberle also
announced that Habitats new warehouse will be
named the Dan Pearson Construction Technology
Center. The warehouse is part of Habitats new
Housing Education Center complex on 14th Street,
that is currently being remodeled The expanded
office and warehouse space will allow Habitat to
offer many more classes on home repairs and
mairftenance to its homeowners.
fames Collins, a Habitat volunteer
Dwayne Thompson, Director of ReStore Operations,
with volunteer Patricia McGill
Oberle also used the occasion to honor two other
longtime, devoted volunteers - Bob Doty and Nell
Cavenaugh - by announcing that the Center will
include the Bob Doty Community Workshop and
the Nell Cavenaugh Family Classroom. Habitat
also recognized Wells Fargo with its first Corporate
Volunteer of the Year Award.
James Collins, who was among the volunteers
honored, is a regular ReStore volunteer. "I originally
thought I would help with construction, but as I got
older, I realized the ReStore was a better option for me,"
he said. "I had heard about Habitat for years and really
wanted to get involved in some way? At the ReStore, he
does a little bit of everything - from helping customers
to hauling donated items out to the floor.
Karen Bass, who attended along with her husband
Bob, was among those who received volunteer
certificates. Bass, who has been a frequent volunteer
for the last two years, said working in the ReStore
is a way to have fun while meeting many nice
volunteers and shoppers. "It's a new store everyday,"
she said. "I enjoy seeing all the new items that come
in and helping to arrange them." One of her favorite
activities, she said, is refurbishing the frames and
backing of wall art that has been donated.
Frances Wilson, who has led the effort to establish
the used book section of the ReStore, attended
with husband Gene. Frances said she got involved
with the ReStore "because I enjoy keeping books
in order and organizing them by subject matter
so that people can find what they want when they
come in. I am also really in to recycling - and that's
what the ReStore is all about."
Habitat Forsyth is marking its 30th anniversary this
year.^ince its founding in 1985, the organization has
served about 400 local families through constructing
new houses and revitalizing existing homes, and,
through its tithing program to Habitat International,
supported die construction of homes for more than
100 families in Latin American countries, said Peter
Juran, chair of Habitat Forsyth's Board of Directors.
Habitat could not accomplish its mission of helping
local working families purchase affordable, quality
housing without the help of volunteers, Oberle said.
"The cost of hiring people to perform the more
than 25,000 hours of work that volunteers donated
last year alone would cost the agency tens, if not
hundreds, of thousands of dollars," she said.
Volunteers - both individuals and groups - are
always needed. If you're looking for a rewarding
opportunity to serve in our community, contact
Habitat of Forsyth.
For more information about Habitat
for Humanity, go to
wwwJubttdlfonyUiorg.