Habitat seeking volunteers for Montevallo project

Published 10:42 am Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A few hours of volunteer work over the next several months could help build a better life for one Shelby County woman.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham is seeking volunteers to aid in constructing a home for Shelby County resident Debra Williams, a mother of three and grandmother of seven, on County Road 206 in Montevallo.

“I’m just blessed to have this help,” Williams said. “I’ve been moving from house to house, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been helping me get a home of my own.”

The build, which is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, began Sept. 12, and is expected to be completed in mid-November, explained Beth Jerome, Habitat’s director of development.

Although about 25 volunteers from the University of Montevallo and Central Park Christian School helped during the build’s first weekend, Habitat officials are urging locals to volunteer throughout the eight-week project.

“The first weekend was really great. We definitely got things underway,” Jerome said. “We will have lots of different groups helping us out with this, but we are still looking for more volunteers.

“We need volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays through the middle of November from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” Jerome added. “You don’t have to have any building experience or anything. We provide training on site.”

The build address is 391 County Road 206 off Shelby County 17 in Montevallo. To volunteer for the project or obtain more information, call Habitat of Greater Birmingham at 780-1234, or visit Habitatbirmingham.com.