Celebrate New Beginnings with Habitat!

Building Homes Strengthen Communities

Celebrating our Community Leaders and Advocates

This past month, we had the joy of hosting some of the Sandhills’ top CEOs for a build day that truly brought our mission to life. These remarkable leaders aren’t just shaping businesses—they’re helping future homeowners achieve their dreams by connecting them with opportunities and support.

Kristyn Gavazzi - Carolina Summit Group

Kiki Stewart - Habitat Family Partner

Rob Bender - Sierra Nevada Corporation

Matt Schiro - Habitat Construction Supervisor

Tony Price -Moore Free Clinic

Friday’s event also included a special home dedication, a reminder of why we do what we do. We are deeply grateful for the supporters and volunteers who played a crucial role in making Shardavia’s dream of providing a lasting legacy for her son a reality. Their support was instrumental in her journey. Shardavia shared with us, “My experience with the program was exceptional as it enabled me to learn about building my dream home while overcoming my fears.”

Shardavia Stromen with Catepillar Supervisor, Marco McAuley.

Roger Erwin, Hardcore "Trim Crew" volunteer with Shardavia.

If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry—we offer build days three times a week, year-round. Whether you want to volunteer as part of a team from your workplace, a group of friends, or as an individual, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a real difference.

Sandhills Habitat is urging local CEOs and business owners to understand our mission and support affordable housing for our community's workforce. As the front line of our community's economic growth, these leaders have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hardworking families. By partnering with Habitat, businesses can help provide safe, decent, and affordable housing, which in turn can increase employee retention, boost local economies, and enhance the overall well-being of our community.

Volunteer

Additional Leaders who participated this year:

Darryn Burch- Moore County Economic Development

Jonathan Davis- First Health

Andrew Lyons - First Bank

David O'Donoghue - Pinehurst, LCC

Stephen Phillips- Sandhills Coalition

Diane Reynolds- Sandhills Community College

Women Empowering Women

Eleventh Women Build Home

On a glorious September morning in Bright Meadows, Addor, our Women Build team came together with energy, skill, and heart to continue a proud tradition—building homes and hope for families in our community. This year, the team is sponsoring its 11th home, working alongside Walls-Up to create a safe, affordable, and welcoming home for the Coppinger family in Addor.

Sandhills Habitat’s Women Build isn’t just about construction—it’s about empowerment. Women from all walks of life unite to make a tangible difference, supporting and uplifting one another and entire communities. Volunteers learn new skills, strengthen connections, and leave knowing they’ve helped provide more than a house—they’ve helped build a home.

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or picking up a hammer for the first time, Women Build offers a unique opportunity to roll up your sleeves, contribute to your community, and celebrate the power of women working together. Every nail, every board, and every shared laugh helps bring the dream of homeownership to life for hardworking families in Moore County.

Skippers of the Build, Part I

Construction Supervisor

“Fairies!” Adam Cook jokes with a grin, swatting at the buzzing insects that circle the Habitat build site. Laughter is a familiar sound on our worksites, where dedicated staff guide volunteers and future homeowners in building safe, comfortable, and beautiful homes.

Adam Cook also really loves the job. He also has a busy family life with five children, ranging in age from 4 to 21. Family, helping others, the Bible, and those who have helped him are all important to Adam.

Adam started working at a young age, obtaining a work permit at the age of 13. He was always interested in construction. He began as an electrician, learning his trade through years of tutelage at Pope’s Electric. Adam’s brother had worked as a construction supervisor with Habitat and suggested to Adam that he look into working with Habitat as well. He wrote his “first ever” resume and was interviewed by Farrah Newman. He was soon at work for Habitat.

“Habitat has unlocked so many opportunities,” explains Adam. The training offered and learning skills like teaching are mentioned by Adam, as well as having the opportunity to teach others. He enjoys the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people. “I get to meet a lot of cool people,” Adam adds.

A couple of years before Adam approached Habitat, he made significant changes in the way he lived his life. Others helped him to find strength, integrity, and a spiritual remedy. He likes to teach using what he has learned from that and what he continues to learn.

He said there are some sad parts to the job. Some of the work involves repairs on homes, and he says when he sees what some people live with, it makes him sad. “But you get to help (their situation) some, and seeing how grateful and happy it makes them is good,” he says.

When asked what his children think of his work for Habitat, he replies, “They love that I love my job.”

Matt Shiro says even when he was 18 or 19, he had an interest in Habitat. However, he joined the Army, which kept him busy for several years. He and his wife have three children, now aged 7, 10, and 12, so their family life is busy.

During his time in the Army, Matt was shot twice, and he saw friends get injured and killed. Deployments included Afghanistan.

He found a good place to help him work through the trauma he had experienced, and is a strong advocate for soldiers who have experienced trauma and may have PTSD to get help. He knows it is not easy to accept help. “I like giving my time to help them.”

Matt’s wife had become friends with Amie Fraley, director of the local Habitat affiliate. “When I was ready to retire, my wife suggested contacting Amie about working with Habitat. I began an internship in 2021.”

“I didn’t find the sense of community that I wanted when I was in the Army.” Matt values his family and understands the importance of helping to build and be part of a community. Working for Habitat is different. “I love to build and love the job,” explains Matt. He says it is a wonderful place to work, and the people he meets and works with are the best. Matt says he is very happy and content with what he does now.

When approaching a Habitat home building site, in addition to the noise of hammers, drills, and saws, one is likely to hear deep conversations, shouts of encouragement and approval, groans of effort, and the sounds of camaraderie and laughter, much of which is due to the leadership of these fine professionals.

LuAnn Kinney

Faith Relations Volunteer

Cause Marketing

Another Way to Build with Habitat

When people think about supporting Habitat, they often picture swinging hammers, raising walls, or making a financial donation. However, there’s another powerful way to make an impact that extends beyond the construction site: cause marketing. Cause marketing is a partnership between a business or organization and a nonprofit, where everyday transactions also support a cause. Moore County is home to companies that care deeply about their neighbors. Cause marketing allows them to demonstrate that commitment in a visible and meaningful way.

Gale “Birdie” Logan, DJ Logan, and Rae Anne Kinney of Pine Scones Café are the creative forces behind the biannual “Sugar Show” — a classic car show and flea market. Proceeds from vendor table sales directly support Sandhills Habitat.

Impact That Builds Beyond the Bottom Line

Every cause marketing effort sends a clear message: local businesses are more than providers of goods and services—they are partners in building strong communities. Together, we’re not just constructing homes; we’re fostering stability, dignity, and opportunity.

If you own a business in Moore County and are interested in exploring how cause marketing could benefit you, we’d be delighted to partner with you. Together, we can ensure more families achieve the dream of homeownership—one cup of coffee, one sale, one act of generosity at a time.

One of the best parts of volunteering is the fellowship and friendships formed while working toward a common cause. We spotted our amazing “Linen Ladies”, who sort and price to sell the linens donated to the ReStore, going out to lunch together—love seeing Habitat friendships in action!

Find your Home at Habitat!

We are on track with only three months left to reach our goal! Thanks to you, we are well on track to meet our 2025 goal! Every hour you give has a ripple effect: raising vital funds, supporting operations, and helping put the hammers in hands that build safe, affordable homes for families in the Sandhills.

Want to make an even bigger impact? Invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to join you. When people see Habitat in action, they believe in it — and we promise, there’s no better volunteer experience in the Sandhills!

It's a fun opportunity to meet like-minded friends who support affordable housing. On Thursday, October 16, at 5:00 pm, you can learn about Habitat's volunteer opportunities. Whether you enjoy the outdoors and hands-on construction or working in the ReStore, we can tailor an experience that you will find both rewarding and enjoyable!

We know volunteer opportunities are abundant in Moore County. We strive to make your time a rewarding and beneficial experience at Sandhills Habitat.

Registration

No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to help and a heart for service. Join us today and see how you can make a difference. Together, we can build more than houses—we can build hope, stability, and brighter futures.