218-828-8517
Email:
218-454-8517
Email: restore@lakesareahabitat.org

Volunteer

Swinging a hammer is not a requirement for serving at Habitat for Humanity. We welcome people from all walks of life to join us in our mission to make affordable housing a reality for hard-working families in our community. Whatever your experience, stage of life, skill-set, or passion, there is a place for you here.

Construction
Pickups/Salvages/ReStore


If you are able to help with any of the construction projects, contact Karen Skarolid:
218-454-7020
volcoord@lakesareahabitat.org		If you are able to help with any pickups or salvages, contact Mary Johnson:
218-454-7021
mary.johnson@lakesareahabitat.org
If you are able to help in the ReStore, contact Karen Skarolid:
(218) 454-7020
volcoord@lakesareahabitat.org

Read on to learn about our opportunities.  Our current construction projects are listed at the bottom of this page.  Scroll on down!

STEPS TO GET INVOLVED

  1. Read our volunteer opportunities below and decide what interests you.
  2. Tell us! Fill out our volunteer form.
  3. We will connect with you promptly and set up an orientation.
  4. Questions? Contact our volunteer coordinator at 218-828-8517.


Construction
Get hands-on experience on with Habitat! You’re never alone building with us; a professional staff member is always on site to teach new skills or put your expertise to best use.  Volunteers perform a variety of skilled and unskilled tasks including: framing, vinyl siding, sheetrocking, painting, flooring, and installing trim. We work alongside each partner family for each home, so you will see firsthand the lives you are impacting. Opportunities change day-to-day, happen indoors and outdoors, and last four hours (morning or afternoon).
If you would like to volunteer with Construction, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)
ReStore
The Habitat ReStore is a home improvement retail store that sells new and used donated building materials, furniture and appliances. We are open to the public and sell merchandise discounted up to 75% off standard retail prices.  All net proceeds support Lakes Area Habitat’s mission to build affordable homes for working families. We prevent quality items from the landfill. Regular weekly volunteers are needed to provide support to the ReStore staff, donors, and customers.  Visit our ReStore page for a full list of opportunities.
If you would like to volunteer in the ReStore, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)
Special Events
Throughout the year, Lakes Area Habitat holds annual events.  These events are a lot of fun and offer opportunities for individuals to get involved with Habitat for Humanity without lifting a hammer.  Our events help us raise awareness about our organization as well as raising the necessary funds it takes to build homes with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity partner families.
If you would like to volunteer with Special Events, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza -Come volunteer the day of the event and help raise funds for Habitat. The more volunteers we have, the more money we can raise. The event generally takes place the 3rd weekend in January.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the Jaycees Extravaganza, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)

Earth Day Each year we celebrate Earth Day at the ReStore with special sales and a one-stop donation drop, where we partner with other area non-profits. The event takes place the Saturday after Earth Day. We can use help coordinating! Planning generally starts in February.
If you would like to volunteer to help with Earth Day, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)

Annual Dinner/Auction The annual Dinner/Auction is our largest fundraiser for the affiliate. We need help with planning from start to finish, including acquiring sponsors and auction items. The event generally takes place the 2nd week in June. The committee meets monthly starting in December.
If you would like to volunteer with the Dinner Committee, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)

Site Blessings/Home Dedications Help us get the word out as we kick off a new build for a Site Blessing and again gather people when we complete the build for a Home Dedication.
If you would like to volunteer with Site Blessings/Home Dedications, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator)

Committees
Joining a committee is a great way to learn more about Habitat for Humanity.  Many people join a non-profit committee to learn more about a specific organization as well as gain experience with in an organization to add to their professional resume.  Committees support our mission by providing guidance, volunteer capacity and are the training and recruiting ground for Board members.  Typically meeting once a month, membership is composed of anyone in the community who wants to get involved in the decision making process of our organization.  Committees make recommendations to the Board, which makes final decisions.

If you would like to apply to volunteer on any of these committees, please contact Karen Skarolid (Volunteer Coordinator) 218-828-8517

Family Selection
PURPOSE: Carry out the Board's vision by identifying families in need of decent, affordable housing. Develop the processes and policies for selecting those who best meet the criterion in the policies.
Women's Build

Land
PURPOSE: To target the area or areas of the community or communities in which the projects of the Affiliate will be built and investigate the availability of property. The committee works with the Building Committee and administrator to evaluate the Suitability of the potential sites prior to acquisition. Makes recommendations to the Board regarding site acquisitions.

  • To determine area or areas in which to build a Habitat house. 
  • To evaluate properties available for suitability for a Habitat house.
  • Land use regulations.
  • Zoning regulations/restrictions/covenants.
  • Environmental concerns.
  • Surrounding neighborhood.
  • Accessibility of property.
  • Setback requirements.
  • Cost of property.
  • To present a detailed analysis and recommendation to the Board of Directors for consideration to acquire properties.

Development
PURPOSE: To establish a solid plan for consistent, regular sources of income to operate a financially sound organization and to fund all of its programs and expenses.

  • To develop on-going fundraising projects. 
  • To determine the short-term and long-term funding needs. 
  • Plan funding activities for the full Board to approve. 
  • Identify and recruit members to serve on fundraising projects. 
  • Educate the community/public on the need to support the organization.

Personnel
PURPOSE: To guide the personnel decisions of the affiliate.

  • Review the personnel policies of the affiliate
  • Ensure the affiliate has clearly written job descriptions for all personnel
  • Ensure that annual reviews are conducted for all personnel conducted by the Executive Director for all personnel and by the Board of Directors for the Executive Director 
  • Recommend to the Board of Directors changes to the personnel structure (additions to or subtractions from staff positions)
  • Ensure all employment laws are adhered to by the affiliate

Finance
PURPOSE: Coordinate all financial and accounting aspects of the affiliate. Provide accurate and useful financial information to the Board of Directors to facilitate effective decision-making.


 

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