April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we want to introduce you to some of our incredible volunteers and to share what we’re able to do together. Meet Brad.
Brad is an agricultural economist. After running his own company for decades and working on projects all over the world, his wife encouraged him to step back from that work to enjoy semi-retirement. “You finally have the time, you have the skills. It’s time to volunteer,” Brad recalls her saying. “And I said, yeah, you’re right!”
The couple have supported Habitat for Humanity of Omaha financially for years, and Brad was eager to help the organization in other ways. He volunteers with Habitat Omaha two to three days each week.
“Even though I was pretty good at doing construction things, I didn’t know diddly,” he said. “I’m amazed at how much building materials and practices have changed over the last two decades. Materials, such as sheeting and siding have changed. There are much better products now, so they hold up better to the weather. We build the walls of the house in the Habitat warehouse and erect them on site. It’s so fun to be a part of it all.”
He went on to share a recent experience working with other volunteers. “We were finishing up some siding on a house in Vernon Circle. Since I’m a regular volunteer, the Habitat construction foreman asked me to help work with a group of women volunteers from Kiewit Corp. to finish siding the garage, including the peak. I asked the women, ‘what do you want to do?’ and one of them said ‘I want to use power tools; we never get to use those,'” Brad said. After a safety lesson, one volunteer took the ladder and another took the power nailer, and they were amazed at how productive and fun it was. He said they were asking, “Where do I buy these tools?” and thinking about how they could use them in their own homes.
When I see that kind of enthusiasm, I see how much others also enjoy this work. The feeling of empowerment to be part of building a home amongst all of us is so exciting,” said Brad. “Anything I can do to lift up Habitat Omaha in people’s minds, I will.”
We’re grateful for volunteers like Brad and the women from Kiewit Corp. Together, we’re helping welcome more people into an affordable house they can call home.
Learn more about volunteering with Habitat Omaha. We have opportunities for people with various skill sets, and welcome anyone who wants to help!
