Athens Area Habitat for Humanity believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to own his or her own home, and Saturday builds are a big part of making that vision become a reality for Clarke, Oconee and Oglethorpe residents.

"On Saturdays, groups and individuals come together to build on a Habitat home," explains Laura Dempsey, public outreach director for the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. "(Habitat for Humanity) builds Wednesday through Saturday, but Saturday is our largest demand because that's generally when groups can get everybody together and come out."

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity is on a 16-week build schedule, but that can vary depending on weather conditions and how productive a group of volunteers is on the site.

Construction managers gather at the site at 8:45 a.m. to meet volunteers, go through a brief introduction and split the volunteers into groups to accomplish whatever tasks need to be done. Lunch is provided, and volunteers typically build from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"You don't have to have any construction experience. (The constructions managers) can teach you everything you need to know out there, and you don't have to bring any tools," Dempsey says.

Now, when individuals volunteer, they also will become eligible to redeem a free one-day, one theme park ticket to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., or Disneyland in California.

"That's a Disney promotion," Dempsey says. "I've seen a huge increase in people wanting to volunteer because of that, which is great."

Homeowners receiving a Habitat for Humanity house go through a selection process, and are required to perform at least 200 hours of volunteer service with Habitat, Dempsey says.

"(Homeowners) help build on their home as well. This just supports our mission that we're helping people who want to help themselves."

Six Habitat for Humanity homes were built in 2009.

"(Saturday builds are) a really great experience," Dempsey says. "People are a little hesitant because they may not have any construction skills, but it's very empowering. You learn how to do things, and it's a lot of fun."

Want to participate?

To be a part of a build site requires scheduling a date in advance. A calendar on the events page of the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Web site is updated with the availability of builds. To sign up for a date, e-mail volunteer@athenshabitat.com, call Habitat at (706) 208-1001or register through HandsOn Athens at www.handsonnortheastgeorgia.org.

Monetary donations also can be made through the Web site at www.athenshabitat.com.

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Monday, February 01, 2010