Volunteer Stories
Volunteer Stories
We are always thrilled to hear from the volunteers who spend time on our construction site or in some other aspect of our organization.
The stories we receive are too inspirational to be kept to ourselves.
We invite you to submit your thoughts about your experience or a comment on how you came to volunteer with us.
It is always humbling to work with so many generous Calgarians each year and we look forward to proudly sharing your stories.
My Summer Vacation
or Why I didn't become a Sudoku Master!
What is an instructor to do after the summer vacation is over and their significant other has to go back to work? This year instead of becoming the best Sudoku player EVER, I decided to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
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A roof goes on at Mayland Heights.
August 2008
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The time I spent with this group (one day per week) was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I met really interesting people, got some exercise, and gave a little back to my community. My previous experience building (I was a journeyman carpenter when I left high school many moons ago) was definitely an asset, however you don't need any experience at all to volunteer for Habitat, just a willingness to help in your community and a great attitude!
The build day started at 8:15 am with a safety talk from the site super, Mike O'Brien, who went over the hazards on a construction site, emphasized not to use tools until someone had shown you how to properly use them, reminded us to get help lifting heavy material, and explained what PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is required on site. after the safety talk, Mike divided up the tasks and assigned volunteers to each task. There were usually some regular site volunteers who acted as lead hands for each task and directed the groups, though Mike was always around to answer any questions that came up.
Habitat volunteer groups bring together people from all walks of life. The groups are usually made of employees from large companies like Nexen, EnCana, transCanada, and also individuals like me.
Typically, Habitat Calgary builds about 15 homes per year. This year, due to land constraints, they only have the eight townhouse units in Mayland Heights (where I volunteered) and one single family home in Evanston on the go. Their largest project to date was 27 multi-family units built in Dover.
If you do not have the time of don't feel comfortable on a construction site, there are many other volunteer opportunities that might interest you, from working in Habitat's office to spending time at the Habitat ReStore. The Restore sells new and used building materials, furniture and appliances, which helps keep completely usable materials and good out of our landfills and helps pay the operating costs of Habitat for Humanity Calgary; it is open to the general public, saving you money in your renovation projects while helping a worthwhile cause.
Now that the fall is here, and we are all back in our school routines, it is easy to get caught up in our day to day life and forget about the opportunities that we have to contribute to our community. I am proud to have been a part of Habitat for Humanity this summer, and will definitely work with them again in the future. If you want more information about Habitat for Humanity visit their website www.habitatcalgary.ca or contact Heather Kniss. While a summer of Sudoku seems appealing, think of the difference you could make for a family when you help build their dream home.
Submitted by: Cam McCluskey
Building Homes... For Little People
After working for 28 years at Shell Canada as the Manager of Supply Operations and Planning, Jack Dickson thought he would retire for a few years before possibly heading back to work. During his retirement, Jack decided to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity-Calgary. That was just over 11 years ago and he has never looked back.
“I never expected to stay with Habitat-Calgary for so long,” explains Jack, Co-Chair of the Playhouse Committee. “I just kept getting involved with the projects. I planned to go back to work after a year or two, but ended up volunteering instead. I found it more satisfying than work was."
Jack joined Habitat for Humanity-Calgary in 1994, where he worked on the Fundraising Committee and was involved in 12 housing projects. He then became the Chair of the Communications Committee and then joined the Board of Directors three years later for a one year term. He finds current role as Co-Chair of the Playhouse Committee a fit since he has been building playhouses for nine years
Each year, Jack works with more than 100 Habitat-Calgary volunteers to build seven two-story playhouses, which are raffled at Sunridge mall before Christmas. Tickets are drawn and winners receive their playhouses in January. In 2004, the playhouses raised over $66,000 in ticket sales, and the funds will go towards building homes for low-income families in Calgary.
The project takes almost a year to complete. The playhouses are designed by architects in January and the committee meets each month to plan the execution. Volunteers build the houses over a two-month period between September and November. Jack says he put in about 370 hours in 2004.
Each of the seven playhouse projects has a foreman in charge, who works an average of 70 to 80 hours in two months. But the team welcomes volunteers with any level of time commitment! Some volunteers work once a week, some even less. “It’s great for people who don’t have a lot of time. Some volunteers come out and help for one day,” explains Jack.
“In fact, we were building a house in 1995 and a fellow came by to work three times a week over the lunch hour. None of us really knew him. We figured he was someone down on his luck, who was working for his lunch. As it turned out, he was a senior partner of a major firm. He wanted to get out of the office and do something, but the lunch hour was the only time he could get away."
Jack finds his volunteer work extremely rewarding. “Each time I go, I’m with people I really like and I’m giving something of value,” he adds. “As I said, I had no intention of staying this long, but it’s just such a great organization."
When he joined the organization 11 years ago, Jack had no construction training. “I tinkered around the house, but never had any formal experience. Everything I’ve learned, I’ve done through Habitat-Calgary,” he says. “I could probably take on a house now as there are things that I can do that I could never have considered before I volunteered."
Jack was able to use his Habitat for Humanity experience when he traveled to El Salvador, to help build houses there. “It gave me a feeling of what it is like to live in a third world country with no money, no running water and proper toilets. It’s a great way to give back to the community.” Jack has also been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for 11 years, delivering meals, developing business plans and participating on the Board of Directors.
Mary - Volunteering Saturdays to Help Others
Before Mary became a construction volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Calgary in 1999, she had virtually no experience with home construction. She had an interest in it and regularly watched the Saturday home renovation shows, but she never thought she would soon be doing it for real.
Now, Mary spends her Saturdays installing insulation, polyfilling, dry walling and putting up siding in a group effort to build a new home for a low-income family. She had been involved as a volunteer with Big Sisters on a one-on-one basis, but wanted to do something different. She joined Habitat for Humanity Calgary after wanting to challenge herself to learn a completely new skill, while helping others at the same time.
In her full time work as a senior operations officer for Scotia Bank, Mary spends most of her days behind a desk. Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Calgary gives her an opportunity to develop a different skill set. Mary quickly learned everything she needed to know on the job. “I’m really enjoying myself,” she explains. “No one makes you feel stupid. Wally and Mike are really good at teaching.” So far, she has been involved in five framing blitzes. “I like doing the bigger projects because I can see my progress. I really enjoy seeing how much I have improved,” adds Mary.
Mary finds the camaraderie she’s encountered appealing. “I like to meet new people. That’s a part of the joy of it. Everyone is here for the same reason - to help people.” She enjoys working with the homeowners who are also on site, seeing them start off as inexperienced as she was and progressing. “I think it’s important that people work for the things they get,” explains Mary. “I like seeing people making the effort themselves, instead of expecting society to take care of them.”
Mary has recruited over 50 people from her office to volunteer at construction sites. Spread out over three weekends in April, her staff will help build some of the new projects. “You definitely get a lot more out of volunteering here than you put in. I’ve met new people and it’s worth it.”
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