Habitat celebrates International Volunteer Day

Thirty-two years ago, Habitat for Humanity began with the vision and dedication of a few volunteers in Sumter County, Georgia. Three hundred thousand houses later, Habitat’s worldwide ministry continues to grow thanks to the passion and hard work of millions of volunteers.

While Habitat is indebted to its volunteers year-round, December 5 is a particularly appropriate day to celebrate the thousands of volunteers around the world who work to bring home and hope to families living in poverty housing. December 5 is International Volunteer Day—a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate volunteerism.

At Habitat for Humanity International, an organization created—and sustained—by passionate volunteers, December 5 is another opportunity for us to say “thank you.”

Habitat’s volunteers serve in a multitude of ways: by helping build homes in their own communities; by raising money for Habitat programs in other countries; by working in U.S. affiliate offices and area offices around the world, providing the behind-the-scenes work that enables Habitat to work with even more families; by taking Global Village trips or Collegiate Challenge trips; by advocating for changes to address housing issues; and by getting involved in disaster-response programs.

The ways volunteers contribute to Habitat’s ministry are countless and invaluable, and Habitat staffers and partner families are continually grateful. In addition to helping build more than 300,000 houses, our volunteers have also helped Habitat serve more than 1.5 million people.

Evidence of our volunteers’ impact is always present. At the November celebration in Naples, Florida—marking the construction of Habitat’s 300,000th house—Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford reminded the crowd of a quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Reckford then looked at the work site for house No. 300,000 behind him and said: “Now look what can happen when a large group of people commit themselves to change the world.”

To learn about the many ways you can join Habitat’s volunteers in building houses and hope, visit Habitat’s Get Involved page. Specialized volunteer opportunities include Global Village trips, youth programs, Women Builds, the U.S. and International Volunteer programs, AmeriCorps and RV Care-A-Vanners.

Interested volunteers can also find out about affiliates and building opportunities in their own communities by visiting Habitat’s Find Your Local Affiliate Web page.