Some of us decided to take a break from building websites for a day and got together to build a home with Habitat for Humanity. One of the ways we live our mission of "Technology for Change" is through company-sponsored community volunteer days. 

We taped and insulated the exterior walls, applied parge coat to the foundation for more insulation, secured deck boards, and framed windows. At the end of the day, we were all a little tired, but it was a great team-building experience, and we felt good about helping the family that will soon move into their own home! 

Habitat for Humanity is building two homes on the site where we volunteered in Trumansburg. One of the future homeowners is a single-mother with four children who grew up on the same street where her future home will be. The home that we helped build will house a single-mother and her 7-year-old daughter. The mother, Gaby, works at Cayuga Medical Center and grew up not far from Trumansburg. After years of living with various family members, she and her daughter are thrilled to finally have a home of their own. 

Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties began in Groton, NY in 1987. The homes that are going up now will be their 20th and 21st homes. Habitat's goal is to, "lend a 'hand up' to families who are in need of a simple, decent, affordable place to live by helping them fund and build their own home." Habitat Partner Families put in over 500 hours of work on their own homes and once the home is built, they pay an affordable mortgage. 

We would definitely recommend spending a warm October Saturday volunteering with Habitat for Humanity! What organizations do you like to volunteer with?