Lonza and Liberty Mutual Employees Make Day of Caring a Blessing for Habitat for Humanity Families
What happens when you mix a diverse group of determined and energetic
associates from two worldwide enterprises on a Habitat for Humanity
build-site?
The concoction, team-work chemistry, and results are nothing short of
impressive.
A total of 16 employees from Lonza Biologics and Liberty Mutual joined
several members of Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity’s core volunteer team
yesterday for a day of rocking, decking, and making new acquaintances in
Farmington. Their mid-week efforts outside the office were part of the
spring Day of Caring, a major volunteering event organized by the United Way
of the Greater Seacoast that matches hundreds of employees from area
businesses with nonprofits.
Their can-do, let-me-at-it approach and attitude helped Habitat continue to
make further progress toward completing its two houses at 208 Reservoir
Road. With their day’s efforts, moving-in day is even closer in sight for
at least one of Habitat’s partner families.
Those who made the journey to Farmington and contributed included:
*Liberty Mutual*
*Lonza Biologics*
Wendi McKeagney – Team Leader
Yvonne Moore – Team Leader
Christine Astin
Bob Boucher
John LaVelle
Scott Christo
Theodore “TJ” Couesoule
Scott Matthews
Rachel Halsey
Steve Hoyt
Brandon Nigro
Joanie Howland
Aaron Hubbell
Terry Petano
Wendy Poor
Terri Kershow
Following a warm welcome from Habitat President *Tom Boisvert*, building
supervisor *Keith Faris* divided the volunteers into four teams, whereupon
over the course of the day they “blew out” nearly all of the remaining
sheetrocking in one of the houses – in a very good way!
Outside, another crew of determined souls fought off May flies as they
topped off one deck and built the frame for the other deck.
Assisting the teams on sheetrocking were longtime Habitat building
volunteers *Paul Lagarde* and *Lee Prescott*. Working alongside the
deck-building crew was *Ken Flesher*.
As crew members got into a rhythm, it was difficult to get folks to break
away from their tasks and take a break to enjoy the lunch spread that
Habitat provided.
Later in the day, Habitat’s Director of Development *Petra Kashin* stopped
by to thank everyone for their commitment and contributions.
With the group’s accomplishments, Habitat is many steps closer to being able
to finish off the sheetrock with tape and mud, paint, and the wrap-up tasks
before move-in.
On behalf of Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity’s partner families, many
volunteers, and Board of Directors, Tom Boisvert offered warm words of
thanks and appreciation for a job well done, and a special thank you to the
companies themselves, the team leaders, and Robin Albert of United Way of
the Greater Seacoast for helping to connect these high-spirited teams and
Habitat for Humanity.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization,” Tom said after the tools
were packed away. “We appreciate them so much. They are priceless.
“We hope they all will want to come back for fall’s Day of Caring to see how
their efforts contributed to completing one house, and what they can do to
help with the other houses Habitat is building in the area.”
Tom also reminds everyone that they are more than welcome to join the
volunteers who turn out every Saturday to build decent, affordable housing
in Rockingham and Strafford counties.
To help get the ball rolling, folks are asked to visit Habitat’s website,
sign up through *VolunteerUP* [http://www.senhhabitat.org/get-involved.html]
and add your name on the calendar dates when you would like to help. Once
you’ve registered, you’ll receive regular progress updates as Habitat
volunteers finish the two Farmington houses and begin construction on two
houses at 9 Silver St. in Rochester.
In the meantime, we invite you [and tell your family and friends] to visit
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, a retail store located at 15 Fourth St. in
Dover that sells donated building materials and home improvement supplies to
the public at 30% to 80% below retail costs. These materials are donated by
contractors, manufacturers, retail stores and individuals and are either
overstocked or discontinued and could be new or used. Store hours are 9 to
5 Tuesday through Saturday.
ReStore proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing safe,
decent, affordable, and energy-efficient housing to hard-working, low-income
families in our community.
Again, thank you all for a memorable and productive day, and we hope to see
you again soon.
Jonathan Miller
Volunteer coordinator
