Spotlight: Verizon Wireless Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity

When Habitat for Humanity in Wichita, Kan., went looking for volunteers this past April to help build housing for underprivileged families in the area, Verizon Wireless Assistant Retail Store Manager Trish Fox rallied her fellow employees from the New Market store to help out. Fox, who has been involved with Habitat in the past, was joined by retail employees, Stephanie Rangel, Delilah Hartfield, Melissa Pronk and Elisa Salas for a "women's build."

"In April we painted the home, inside and out, including the ceilings and trim," said Fox. "One of the main reasons we volunteered, considering the economy right now, is because we felt we need to reach out to our community and let them know that we are here for them as well. It was a really rewarding experience."

They enjoyed this experience so much that in July they volunteered again. The women worked in the home of a single mom who works two jobs to support herself and her young daughter. The team met this young mother when she was putting in "sweat time," the required volunteer hours Habitat for Humanity requires of those who receive their assistance. The team promised her they would come out to help her to build her own home.

"It's a good experience to work outside of work with your teammates because you get to see a different side of them," said Rangel. "Volunteering for Habitat is a really good experience because you don't realize how fortunate you are until you go out and learn that others don't have what you have. When you help others improve their homes it makes you feel good inside."