Sidney Williams
We are very pleased to honor Sidney for her exceptional dedication and service to East Bay Habitat. Sidney came to us during the Fruitvale development, and upon its completion, volunteered throughout the first phase of the West Oakland project. Sidney's dedication to East Bay Habitat is clear—As a Mid-Week Crew member, she has volunteered almost every Thursday since May 2003, and last month she joined us for her first East Bay Habitat Build-a-Thon as one of the highest pledge earners... Sidney raised a whopping $1660! Please join us in thanking Sidney for the tremendous impact she makes on our community through her service with East Bay Habitat.
What brought you to East Bay Habitat, and when?
I first came to Habitat in May 2003. After retiring as a physical therapist, I was interested in volunteering for something that would involve physical activity and had admired the work of Habitat for years. I feel that financial support is important and wanted to actually do something also.
Describe your involvement with Habitat.
I have been working once a week for a little over a year now, starting at the Fruitvale site. At that time they were just putting up siding and I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the owner families. Then when that job was finished, it was great to start from the ground up at the 10th & Union site.
What motivates you to continue to volunteer with Habitat?
I think the housing crisis in this state is particularly bad for people of low or middle income and I love feeling that I can make a difference in individual lives at the same time that I am building some new skills. It's also great to know that the new owners are developing those same skills so that they will be able to keep up their houses without having to spend money that they don't have. It makes all those sore muscles worth it!
What have been your most memorable experiences with Habitat, on the job site or otherwise?
No particular experience comes to mind, but I love the ongoing nature of the work and relationships with other workers. I like knowing that every week there are some new jobs to be done and skills to learn. The dedication ceremony at the Fruitvale site was particularly nice because all the owners were there and were so happy.
If you could be any tool on the construction site what tool would you be?
I like the robo-laser and chasing that little light beam around to get everything level.
What is your favorite job on site?
I like the teamwork and precision involved in doing siding and I love anything that lets me climb around on the scaffolding.
Tell us about your Build-a-Thon experience.
It was particularly amazing to me to see how much can be accomplished in such a short time. It was great to be part of the preparation for the event on my regular days and then to be a part of the first day and the last day. The framing experience was all new for me since I missed that part at Fruitvale.
Describe your fundraising strategy, and why was it so successful?
I didn't really have a strategy, but I made an announcement at my church choir about what I wanted to do and asked for the support of anyone who wanted to help. That was so successful that I realized there are many people who want to help on a personal level.
