Habitat for Humanity constructs homes, but it also builds family.
"Once you're part of the Habitat family, you're part of the family forever," Norm Robinson, president of the board for River City Habitat for Humanity, said Sunday as volunteers gathered to bless the local chapter's 93rd building project.
Ninety-three is a significant number because the local chapter, incorporated in 1991, gathered momentum during a 10-home "blitz build" in response to the Flood of "93.
Kelly Smith, the chapter's executive director, said the chapter is assisted by about 150 volunteers, including many who have been active since the beginning.
"Once people get involved," she said, "they want to stay involved."
She pointed out that opportunities to become involved go well beyond swinging a hammer or guiding a saw. In addition to construction, volunteers can help with the Re-store, can recycling, fundraising, site selection, family ministry and more.
Robinson added many family members who occupy Habitat homes continue as volunteers, often as ambassadors who "share their experience with future homeowners so they will know what to expect."
The local chapter is part of an international Christian mission designed to eliminate poverty housing and provide decent homes to qualifying families. Homeownership comes with responsibilities, including project assistance and repayment of low-interest loans.
According to the chapter's website: "By having the volunteers and the homeowners work together in equal partnership, Habitat hopes to build new relationships and a sense of community as well as new houses."
In addition to home construction, Habitat volunteers also have completed a number of comprehensive home renovation projects. Among them, two have received recognition from the Historic City of Jefferson as "Golden Hammer" Award winners.
The local chapter also is involved on an international scale through a "house-for-house" initiative, where the chapter finances an international build for every project done locally.
Robinson and Smith agreed the building pace of four to five homes a year would be impossible without what Robinson called "tremendous community support."
But, he added, the chapter always can benefit from additional volunteers.
The growing family of Habitat volunteer deserves to be commended not only for the chapter's impressive building pace, but for enhancing neighborhoods and the community one home at a time.