As I contemplate the meaning of Habitat it really isn’t that difficult to understand. I am sure Laura would agree when I say that when you volunteer with Habitat you see lives being changed through the construction of homes and the relationships formed between partner families, volunteers and staff. Every time you hammer a nail, paint a wall, put up sheet-rock, or lay the roofing you are helping to make a dream come true for another person. I am amazed each time I walk on one of our construction sites. It seems like the love of the volunteers make the homes go up so much faster. I enjoy seeing people work together, for no other reason then to support their community and help those less fortunate then themselves. Thank you Laura for picking up a hammer and building the dream of affordable housing in the East Bay.

How long have you been with East Bay Habitat?
I don't remember for sure. When I started on 105th Street there were only four houses in various states of construction - the first four nearest the street on what I call north side of 105th (everyone else says it's west or something but it sure felt like north to me...) so it's something like eight or nine years but I don't know for sure. A LONG TIME!!!

What bought you to Habitat?
Jerry Seidman - some will remember him (I know Paul does) - was a member of my wine tasting group and when I found out he was a regular volunteer for Habitat I told him I'd been interested in Habitat ever since I heard about Jimmy Carter's work for Habitat. After that Jerry hounded me every wine tasting about when was I going to show up, etc. etc. To shut him up, I finally went to an orientation and started...

Can you recount a funny story that has occurred on the construction site?
Yes, the time we heard that Danny had had an accident with a saw and cut his finger off and was at the emergency room. We were all horrified and concerned, so we all talked at lunch, made some phone calls, and decided we would go over to Danny's house at the end of the day and bring food and help him feel better. We got to his house in the evening and there he was, perplexed as to why we were there, with a small band-aid on a small cut - all fingers intact. But, for the benefit of some who hadn't arrived yet, he wrapped it in gauze and put ketchup on it for special effect and the story of Danny losing his finger has now gone down in Habitat history...

If you could be any tool on the construction site what tool would you be?
A Sawzall. Because that's a tool that can cut through anything...do it all. Which, I wish I could do.

What is your favorite job on site?
Call me nuts, but I love sheetrock!

What have been your most memorable experiences on the job site?
The most memorable construction experience was the first time I watched a newly framed wall being handed up to the second floor of a house by a row of people below to a row of people above - no fancy winches or cranes - just muscle. Amazing!
Another memorable experience was when one of the homeowners on 105th Street told me he wanted to invite me for coffee with his family, in his house. (The house I had helped build for him and his family and of which he was obviously so proud). That's what it's all about.

What motivates you to continue to volunteer with Habitat?
My "day" job is one that everyone tells me must give me great satisfaction because I am "working with" disabled infants and their families. Maybe so, but the truth is that when doing that work it isn't often that I feel like I have made a real difference in anyone's life. Building houses for the Habitat families is very different, because I can SEE what I have done and SEE the families living in the houses I have helped to build, and I KNOW I have made a difference, and how many of us can say that for sure? I can, now. The other reason is the incredible community of people I have met through Habitat, who show up week after week to do this amazing work - their dedication, diversity and humor - I'm proud to be a part of this group!