CapFed Best News: Church volunteers give back in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day – The Topeka Capital-Journal

A group of volunteers were busy Saturday as they wrapped up construction on a Habitat for Humanity home.

First United Methodist Church volunteers partnered with Habitat for Humanity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Just about every room of the house was occupied as seven volunteers cleaned, painted and used an electric saw machine and nail gun.

While each volunteer worked separately or in pairs, they all did it for one common goal: to complete a house that will soon be turned over to a family.

"We are in the final stages of this particular house build," said Josh Beshears, repairs manager for Habitat for Humanity. "We are set to dedicate this one Thursday, Jan. 23, so we have about six days."

As a spiritual-based organization, Habitat for Humanity leans on church partners to provide volunteers, Beshears said.

"In essence, the way that we build is with volunteer labor, so the more people we can have come out to give a hand, the faster and better the product becomes," Beshears said.

In addition to the seven volunteers at the construction site, four volunteers spent part of their day at ReStore, Habitat for Humanity's home improvement store.

With over 2,000 volunteer hours put into the house, Beshears said he hopes helping build gives the volunteers a sense of community and accomplishment.

"We always want to empower people to do new things, to help not only themselves but help others," Beshears said. "Volunteers learn skills, they learn the building component. We always like to say, 'Hey, if there's something you really wanted to do, come here we will teach you how to do it.' Our entire house, with the exception of all the trade work, is done by volunteer labor. So all this dry wall you see hung, the flooring, the cabinets, the closets we teach people how to do all of those things."

Natalie Barbee, a volunteer, worked in the house's basement Saturday morning cleaning and organizing the storage room. This was her first time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

"My dad has always worked in the construction business for many years, and my son also has done it so I thought it was my turn," Barbee said.

Barbee hopes to leave with a sense of giving back.

"A home is such a comforting feeling, and I hope that (the family) feels the love that we put into this," Barbee said.

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CapFed Best News: Church volunteers give back in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day - The Topeka Capital-Journal