As we embarked on this fiscal year (our Habitat year, like most nonprofits, begins on July 1 and ends on June 30) we had no idea what to expect. We had just been released from lockdown to welcome back small numbers of volunteers who were willing and able to join us. We weren’t sure how soon we would be back to normal, and although we were all stocked with toilet paper, we had no idea that construction materials for our homes like lumber and even appliances would sometimes be tripled in price when they could be found at all. However, one of the favorite phrases of our general contractor is “Don’t tell me how it can’t be done…tell me how it can be done.” Early on in the pandemic, Farrah and her A-Team of Habitat Construction Supervisors decided to keep building.

The following months were not for the faint of heart, though. Fears of outbreaks and risking the health and safety of our staff and volunteers meant lots of conversations and decisions to keep moving forward. From enhanced sanitization protocols (building on-site sinks, purchasing gallons of hand sanitizer, and wiping down EVERYTHING) to limiting the numbers of volunteers we could allow on-site and in the ReStore to ensure distancing rules, we were able to keep our exposure to the virus minimal.

As we wrap up the year, we are thrilled that we pushed ahead as we were able to stay on schedule and even exceed our fundraising goals at the ReStore and at our Annual Gala, providing the necessary funds to offset the increased building costs. Even with less than half our usual crowd, we raised double our goal – providing enough funding to add an extra house to the 2022 build schedule.

In April, we welcomed back dozens of hardcore volunteers with open arms in the ReStore and on the construction site. It was hard to tell who was happier, the staff who had been working double time or all the volunteers that were happy to be out of the house and back at Habitat. We are ending our year with four home dedications in June, that's right FOUR HOME DEDICATIONS! We had to make up for lost time and thanks to all the hard work and time our volunteers contributed, our Habitat family got it done!

We couldn’t have done it without the can-do spirit of our staff team – so stay tuned as next month we will be sharing a little more about the incredible men and women who are working behind the scenes to build, repair, lead our ReStore and provide a meaningful and fun volunteer experience to our wonderful supporters. Thank you for everything you did this year to keep us moving – whether you were able to return to volunteering, share a financial gift with us or just let us know you were with us in spirit, we felt it – and we appreciate you.

“As soldiers, we are all guests in the local community and I feel that it is important to impact the local community in positive, meaningful ways. The added bonus to these events is the opportunity to assist the people in our community who are less fortunate.” - Ray Balona 

Join fellow military personnel and first responders to help support our day of remembrance on 9/11. Please email volunteer@sandhillshabitat.org for more information".

Saturday of every month.