On Saturdays, there is a dedicated group of volunteers at the Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity construction sites. These volunteers make up the group called the Weekend Warriors. After working in their respective careers during the week, these dedicated individuals come out to support the construction staff and lead volunteer groups of weekend volunteers to build homes, community and hope. When someone comes to a wall raising or dedication, they will often see Jay Klinke, one of the Weekend Warriors, with a big smile and his blue Habitat for Humanity shirt on, laughing and chatting with other volunteers.
After being introduced to the B/CS Habitat through his church, Christ United Methodist, in 2012, Jay regularly began volunteering with the Weekend Warriors in January 2014. Over the past two and a half years, Jay has attended almost every wall raising, saying it is one of his favorite things about volunteering with BCS Habitat.
Part of what he loves about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity it the opportunity for families to build their future. “The families have a great commitment to their future through the work and education required to become a homeowner,” Jay says in reference to the 500 sweat equity hours that each family must complete before they are able to purchase and close on their new home. These hours include volunteering at the Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity ReStore, attending mandatory classes on subjects including personal financing and home maintenance, and helping other families with the construction of their homes. Jay further says enjoys partnering with some families to help them complete their hours.
When Jay is not volunteering with Habitat, he is a branch manager at Orkin Pest Control in College Station. At home Jay might be found grilling and cooking with his friends by the pool or reading.
Jay remarks the sense of community is strong among Bryan/College Station Habitat homeowners because they help each other to attain their goals of homeownership. This feeling resonates in the interactions of volunteers, staff, and partner families during construction of a home with everyone working together for the completion of a family’s new home. The family’s new home represents a new chapter in their lives, a chapter that would not be possible without the help of our many volunteers like Jay.
If you are interested in more information about volunteer opportunities with Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, contact us at volunteer@habitatbcs.org, or visit habitatbcs.org/volunteer.
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