Houses Are For Residents; Homes Are For Families
Kelly Caffarelli, President, The Home Depot Foundation
Building Healthy Communities Blog
Houses Are For Residents; Homes Are For Families
Kelly Caffarelli, President, The Home Depot Foundation
Monday, September 20, 2010
I just returned from the absolute best Habitat build - ever. Without exaggeration, I’ve probably visited over 100 houses built by Habitat for Humanity and been to dozens of build events. I’ve never left one feeling disappointed; never felt like my time wasn’t very well spent; could always see the tangible impact of the volunteers’ efforts. But the one I participated in last week truly stands apart.
I meant to write this last week on the plane ride home, but I needed some time and perspective to consider why this event was different. Almost all volunteer events are special and rewarding; you always leave feeling better about human beings than when you arrived. For me, when the work involves a house, it is even more fulfilling because someone has trusted you to come into their home, their most personal place, and allowed you to put part of yourself there, whether by building it, improving it or repairing it. (And, I must admit, that I often wonder whether I would want someone like me working on my own home!) Last week’s event was unusual in a number of ways, not the least of which was the spectacular location in Colorado - in September, no less. Additionally, it was an amazingly large event, the largest I’ve participated in, with over 600 volunteers and thanks to Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, exceptionally well organized.
