Objective: Annually participate in a Blitz Build by supplying experienced, skilled, and most importantly – enthusiastic volunteers that support Habitat affiliates across the United States.
Background:
The volunteers have similar roots as to how they came together as a group to participate in Habitat projects. Many of the volunteers either currently work for Honeywell or have previously worked, retired, or are a spouse of a Honeywell employee.
In 1995, Honeywell established a partnership with Habitat for Humanity consisting of financial, in-kind donations, and volunteer support of employees of Honeywell from around the world.
In 1996 and 1997 Honeywell sponsored a number of employees to participate in Jimmy Carter Work Project Habitat builds in Vacs, Hungary and Pikeville, Kentucky.
Honeywell stepped up its support of Habitat and sponsored its first Honeywell CEO Blitz Build in 1998 in Minneapolis. More than 500 Honeywell volunteers from around the world in cooperation built four houses in 18 days with the Twin Cities Habitat affiliate.
In 1999 the Blitz Build moved to Phoenix, AZ where four additional houses were built in twelve days. The momentum continued and in 2000 the Honeywell volunteers built another five houses over a two-week period in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This pattern of commitment continued through 2003 and included builds in Redmond, WA (2 homes); Richmond, VA (4 homes in 7 days); South Bend, IN (4 homes in 7 days) and Madison Wisconsin (2 ½ homes in 7 days).
Every year, between Blitz Builds, the volunteers spend considerable time supporting their hometown affiliates and further developing their skills. The volunteers eagerly anticipate the annual Blitz Builds and the great sense of teamwork and camaraderie that has developed amongst the volunteers from around the world over the years. Some of the volunteers from the original build in Vacs, Hungary are still “hooked” and many of the volunteers have participated in several of the builds since 1996.
This eight year journey resulted in a very close-knit team of dedicated and experienced volunteers.
Current Situation:
Honeywell’s support of Habitat has seen many changes in the last several years including different approaches in how Honeywell addresses its community involvement efforts. A new strategy that provides a broader level of support across fewer organizations rather than focusing in on many charities has resulted in Honeywell no longer directly supporting Habitat.
There are however a core group of these volunteers that contracted "Infectious Habitatitus" and have worked several Blitz builds, and numerous house completions of varied construction methods, that wish to continue supporting an annual Blitz Build at different locations across the United States. Many of these volunteers have served not only as volunteers but also crew leads, house leads, and some as multi-build site leads. Their enthusiasm to support Habitat has trickled into their hometown lives where many have done major renovations on their personal residences and some have built their own custom homes. Their breadth of capabilities is evidenced by not only outstanding construction contributions but many have also been members of their local affiliate's board of directors.
Proposal:
This group will provide enthusiastic leadership, experience, and support of an annual Blitz Build for Habitat affiliates across the United States. Builds will preferably be scheduled in the summer or fall time frame. We would like to build the homes from the floor decking to completion within the 7 days.
The group will form a Planning committee at least six months prior to a build to coordinate all volunteer coordination, construction planning and review, and logistics with the local Habitat affiliate to ensure a smooth Blitz Build execution.
Preference will be given to Habitat affiliates that have executed at least one Blitz build in the past.