Volunteer »
Habiholics

Habit-eers are the volunteers that just can’t stay away from HabiJax…and we love them for that.  They are the perpetual resource that drives our mission to build quality affordable housing in Duval County.  They have the HabiJax habit…a condition that Webster’s dictionary describes as: “an act repeated so often by an individual that it has become automatic.”  Habit-eers often come in clusters and can be also known as:

• The Wednesday Gang
• The Tuesday Trim Team
• The Friday Specials
• The Friends of HabiJax
• The Collegiate Challenge

Identification of Habit-eers is easy.  They have affection for construction jargon and materials.  Their clothing shows “the wear and tear” of repeated painting, caulking, and other building activities.  Their shoes are real clodhoppers.  Their hairdo is rather freeform or covered with a cap.  What gives them away, however, is their smile…it radiates their compassion and joy
You know you are a Habit-eer if:

1. You wrap all of your gifts in Tyvek
2. You think spatters of paint and gobs of caulk are fashion accessories
3. You know the term "green side up"
4. You can tell the difference between Irish Tan and Peanut Shell
5. You think Americus, Ga is a vacation spot
6. Your oldest child is named Masonite
7. You know that 10:26 am is freezer pop time
8. You know Stilettos aren't just shoes
9. Your family portrait is taken at the HabiJax worksite
10. Your daily plans include actual house plans

Wednesday Gang
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday – HabiJax’s the place to be….

Since 1991, a faithful group of volunteers have put their indelible stamp on Wednesday and on the lives of thousands of Jacksonville residents.  The Wednesday Gang is the most constant and most experienced volunteer resource for HabiJax.  This group, founded by Bob Ware and Joe Arena, meets weekly for breakfast – 6 AM Wednesday -- before shouldering their hammers for HabiJax duty.  Throughout the morning they can be easily spotted on construction sites in their worn “Wednesday Gang” t-shirts and caps working alongside, and often leading, HabiJax homeowners and other volunteers. Their expertise is invaluable to effecting the HabiJax standard of excellence in affordable home construction.  Their collective talent  includes all aspects of construction.  Individual members, however, often gravitate to a specialty where they have perfected a particular craft – trim carpentry, framing, cabinetry, fixture installation, and the like.

The “Gang” was actually born on a Saturday when Bob Ware and his wife Peggy answered the call to volunteer for the fledgling HabiJax organization.  When Ware later retired from IBM, he asked HabiJax if he could shift to a mid-week volunteer slot and the tradition began.  Ware was soon joined by friends Joe Arena, Fred Bayler and Frenchie Bullington.  In the ensuing 16 years, some of the earliest members have passed on and others are no longer able to strike a nail.   With the camaraderie of troops who have braved “life” together, members have honored the fallen, consoled the afflicted, and together celebrated a remarkable accomplishment – they have literally built HabiJax into the  largest producing Habitat affiliate in the USA.  They will be BUILDING another milestone in June 2007 – House # 1500!

Today Wednesday Gang numbers 50 members.  They start early with breakfast and prayer at the Southern Grill on Jacksonville’s Southbank before heading off to put their faith in action for God’s people seeking to realize the dream of homeownership.  For information on joining, contact Pete LaFrance