Home Depot Associates Give Back

Habitat builds have been a long standing service program for The Home Depot for over 20 years. My family started working on Habitat for Humanity homes back in the 90’s in Atlanta. I can remember my wife coming home from builds exhausted, dirty and happy all at the same time. She was elated at helping make someone’s dream come true. It sounded like so much fun, I actually took vacation from my previous job so I could be a part of the Orange-blooded volunteers and use my hands and feet for something besides computer work. After 8 hours of working on a new home for someone in need, I GOT IT.   It’s been a passion of mine ever since.

Since moving to Austin 8 years ago, it has been a pleasure helping coordinate the builds each year and seeing so many willing volunteers bring their best to the table to keep the same great tradition going here in our local Austin community. The joy and the satisfaction that comes from serving someone else like this is not easily attained in other ways. The relationships you build are unforgettable. Knowing that you are helping a family so they have a place that they can call HOME, a safe place to raise their children, and a great outlook to the future - now that is priceless!  

Tim Call, one of our long-standing day captains, has consistently raised the bar on what can be achieved on the first build day. He has a heart of gold and words to back it up with….. 

“After my first year on a Habitat build, I decided to be a day captain. Each year since, I have volunteered for Day 1. Day 1 volunteers get to see the faces of the new homeowners who realize their dreams are now becoming a reality. Regardless of the weather and what part of the build is being worked on, you can see all the smiles of the workers and the constant laughter that fills the day.  All the volunteers have a sense of pride while they are working. For me, it is gratifying to see the volunteers who were hesitant in the beginning become the first to sign up each year as they realize that their talents are more than enough to be an HFH volunteer. It also is refreshing to hear the volunteers tell how  they used some method or tool they learned at the build in their own personal life. The rewards go both ways. At the volunteer level, there is no price tag that can be placed on the benefits and rewards that doing good for others brings. The builds allow you to develop new friendships that would not have formed in the office.  From a cultural perspective, this is the first time some of the volunteers have seen this type of benevolence.  Giving back and doing the right things are the core of our company’s foundation.” (Tim Call)

We take great pride in all of the core values of The Home Depot and seeing them in action.  Giving back to our community is the right thing to do.

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Home Depot is a valued sponsor of Austin Habitat homes for hardworking families. We will dedicate their latest safe, decent and affordable home for Ababeye Mengistu on Thursday, May 22, 2014.