FALLS CREEK – Can you wield a hammer, use a rake, climb a ladder, lean on a shovel or can you make simple home repairs? Then Habitat for Humanity of Clearfield County sure could use your help on July 11. No prior construction experience is required-volunteers only need a willingness to help.
On a recent Saturday volunteers could be found leveling the basement, installing hurricane brackets, and finishing the front deck on the new Habitat for Humanity home in Falls Creek. Just what they were doing was less important to them than being part of an effort that will provide a home for a local family. By helping those who need it most, Habitat for Humanity volunteers quickly discover the magnitude of their actions. By giving part of themselves to a family they quickly learn the inestimable value of a home.
Since this is a construction site volunteers are asked to leave their flip-flops at home, bring their favorite sunscreen, hat, and wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy shoes. Volunteers also need a brown-bag lunch and drinks, and should feel free to bring their own tools, a work belt, and safety glasses. However, Habitat for Humanity does have all the tools volunteers will need on hand. For more information about the volunteer day please call John Farr at 375-9718. Volunteers can work any portion of the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Habit for Humanity is a worldwide grassroots movement that helps families finance and build affordable homes. At a time when some 30 million U.S. households are faced with excessively large housing costs, overcrowding, and other housing inadequacies, affordable housing is getting harder to find. At the same time most of the government’s housing subsidies do not benefit the poor. In fact Department of Housing numbers indicated that nearly 15 million households use 70 percent of their annual income for rent. Clearly the importance of clean, decent, stable housing is a critical issue for many area families. These families simply want a safe, healthy home for their children. Home ownership in return provides a sense of pride and dignity, increases children’s educational levels and the community as a whole benefits in a myriad of ways.