Local Bank Provides Global Opportunities
Carrie, team leader for First National Bank’s 2016 Global Village trip to Bulgaria, believes in giving back and has been an enthusiastic supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha since her first Global Village trip in 2013, when she was handpicked to go to Romania. (Pictured above is Carrie, center, and two of her previous Global Village teammates in Romania.)
At the time, First National Bank was debating whether or not to add Global Village trips to their robust commitment of giving back to the community; the construction or rehabilitation of 5,000 homes in the five state area they serve by 2020.
Carrie was sold the first day. When they arrived in Romania, the house was simply a hole in the ground and their site leader quickly got them busy laying rebar by hand in anticipation of a delivery of donated cement. The truck arrived and had to park at the top of the hill because the house’s location at the bottom of the hill didn’t allow room to maneuver the vehicle.
The driver only had a couple of hours, so everyone held the hose as the cement slowly filled the hole, covering the rebar and becoming the foundation for the home they were building as well as providing that shared experience that turns a group into something more.
“Imagine 12 people holding the hose, listening to glug, glug, glug,” she laughs.
First National Bank has since sent employees on three other Global Village trips. This next trip to Bulgaria will include customers. Carrie is looking forward to this trip saying, “The people and the culture seem fascinating.” (Meet the team and learn more about this trip at unforgettablefirsts.com/habitat.)
Two of the team members have ties to Bulgaria; one was born there, emigrating to the United States at 18 and the other served two years in the Peace Corps. Carrie has met almost everyone who will be going and says “we’re going to have a very interesting group!”
Carrie volunteers with Habitat Omaha whenever she can and serves on the FRIENDS board. Fit, friendly and energetic, she also started a girl’s fast pitch softball organization, coaching one of the five participating teams. It’s a busy schedule and suits her.
“I believe in giving back as much as I humanly can,” she smiles.
Learn more about Habitat Omaha’s Global Village program and find out how you could join an upcoming trip at habitatomaha.org/globalvillage.