My Nonprofit Reviews

As a woman, I was hesitant to volunteer for "construction" of a house, regardless of the cause. In talking with others, I was told that Habitat Pinellas understood that not all volunteers are experienced and that their house leaders were patient and able to teach novices (including me) how to be productive on the build site. Needless to say, I volunteered, and I am so very glad that I did! Our house leader just happened to be a female, so my comfort level grew almost immediately. I started out bending a lot of nails and was tentative in using a hammer. But before long, I was actually putting more nails in wood studs than not! I was even trained on the use of a "T-nailer" and got to use this tool extensively. But there was more to the adventure of volunteering than just the training and accomplishment of building a house for a struggling family. I met and worked alongside the homeowner candidate whose house we were building and got to learn about her, her family and her situation. It's amazing how close any of us could be to needing support and so comforting to know that an organization like Habitat exists to provide that support. I volunteered on this project several more times and got to know other volunteers and be a member of a really productive team. In just a few short weeks, the house had gone from a shell to complete. And I helped! But the most touching part of the project happened after the build was complete. I attended the dedication and, with tears in my eyes, hugged and congratulated by friend and new homeowner. What a marvelous expeerience! I highly recommend that everyone step out of their comfort zone and give volunteering for Habitat Pinellas a try. I believe you will find the experience well worth your time.

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