Wedding Etiquette Forum

Habitat for Humanity

Anyone here ever volunteer with them before?

I am in August with some folks from work.  I'm kinda excited, since I've done a lot of home renos in the past and I know *some* stuff.  I was hoping for a painting job, but we'll be two months out from the scheduled finish date so I'm thinking no painting.  Maybe siding! Or Shingles!  I've done both of those before.



"You can take your etiquette and shove it!" ~misscarolb

Re: Habitat for Humanity

  • Also, because it's a work event, our company bought us hardhats.  I now have my very own hardhat.

    "You can take your etiquette and shove it!" ~misscarolb
  • I worked on a house one weekend with my work and it was great!  i was working on putting in counters, cabinets and such and it really was a good time.  The Habitat guys were really kind about not making me feel stupid when i didn't have a clue how to do something.  They just patiently showed me how to do it.

    Have fun!
  • I think the HfH people should really be rather terrified.  Our company has volunteered enough people that we're the only ones on the jobsite that day.

    We're all women.

    From IT.

    "You can take your etiquette and shove it!" ~misscarolb
  • JealousE of your hard hat. I hate wearing the used ones. Other people's sweat. Yum,

    Anyway, I did it for 4 weeks during the summer - one week a year in high school. so if a 14 year old can do it, anyone can! We had houses in various stages on completion and I worked on everything from flooring to framing to painting to smoothing basement walls. Good times. Bring sunscreen.

    I've heard the worksites get crowded on the weekends. Not sure what day you're doing it. on weekdays, we were usually some of the only volunteers there.
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  • That's pretty cool Moose!  I've never done anything like that before.


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  • My employer is a sponsor, and we have built four houses in the past 9 years.  It's very rewarding work - I've done all kinds of things, such as foundation framing, roofing, subflooring, siding, painting, installing fixtures and windows.  The best part - we work on the houses on Fridays, and don't have to take PTO to participate.  You'll enjoy it.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_habitat-humanity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:dd648028-8994-4e4f-8e52-7cbd19b58ff7Post:aed6432c-1615-4b82-b6ed-fab8eb2e01ae">Re: Habitat for Humanity</a>:
    [QUOTE]My employer is a sponsor, and we have built four houses in the past 9 years.  It's very rewarding work - I've done all kinds of things, such as foundation framing, roofing, subflooring, siding, painting, installing fixtures and windows.  The best part - we work on the houses on Fridays, and don't have to take PTO to participate.  You'll enjoy it.
    Posted by LesPaul[/QUOTE]


    Ever see anyone lose a finger?  Because that's kinda my fear right now.  Which is weird because I've used my share of power tools, took shop in high school, etc.

    "You can take your etiquette and shove it!" ~misscarolb
  • When I volunteered, it was about 90 degrees and we were working on renovating a row home.  We were removing a roof which involved using a Sawzall to cut through layers of tar paper and throwing it out.  Of course the guys would not let the girls use the saws and I was basically just providing cold water to everyone.  Unfortunately I did not get much out of the experience.  I'm sure your experience will be completely different and I hope you have a great time!
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_habitat-humanity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:dd648028-8994-4e4f-8e52-7cbd19b58ff7Post:4be1eeaf-87b2-4c87-ab85-f51e4fb94718">Re: Habitat for Humanity</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Habitat for Humanity : Ever see anyone lose a finger?  Because that's kinda my fear right now.  Which is weird because I've used my share of power tools, took shop in high school, etc.
    Posted by wadingmoose[/QUOTE]

    Nope.  I don't think we've had any accidents.  They actually let me use the reciprocal saw to cut out all the windows in one of the houses (that was fun).  The foreman will instruct and supervise everything, so you'll be fine. 
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  • CellesCelles member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_habitat-humanity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:dd648028-8994-4e4f-8e52-7cbd19b58ff7Post:5a68b987-be88-4704-893c-d7a796e7a415">Re: Habitat for Humanity</a>:
    [QUOTE]Also, because it's a work event, our company bought us hardhats.  I now have my very own hardhat.
    Posted by wadingmoose[/QUOTE]

    Win!

    I volunteered one weekend with a group from college.  I helped frame... by which I mean, I handed nails up ladders when the guys I was with realized I was a total klutz. 
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  • I think it sucks that some women just get assigned to assistant roles.  I'malso pretty sure that someone's gonna have to do the work when we go and since we're all women, I've got a pretty good shot (yay)

    "You can take your etiquette and shove it!" ~misscarolb
  • I've done it several times before, and I agree with PPs - it's very rewarding. I've helped put up siding, helped paint, I was a "lumber runner" once... I've always had fun.

    A lot of times you get to meet the family who will be eventually living in the house you're helping to build, which is an incredible experience too. Have fun!
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