HANAPEPE — September 11 is recognized by the federal government as a National Day of Service that takes place in the United States on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
“Nicole Pacanas and I are doing additional outreach work today,” said Christina Ahia-Schimmelfennig, the director of Resource Development at the Kauai Habitat for Humanity. “We have volunteers from the different parts of the island volunteering today, ahead of the actual September 11, but there are things that Nicole and I need to do on the actual date.”
The group of volunteers took advantage of the opportunity to honor the lives lost and the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001, while getting to know each other. They worked through a variety of tasks, including organizing donated items and preparing merchandise for the floor.
The Kauai Habitat ReStore is more than just a thrift store, said the Kauai Habitat for Humanity on its website. The ReStore is a community resource that sells new and gently-used furniture, building materials, home decor, and more, at affordable prices. Every purchase and every contributed item helps build safe, decent, and affordable housing on Kauai.
Volunteering at the Restore has a direct impact on the Kauai Habitat for Humanity’s mission while keeping usable goods out of the landfill. A lot of the 248 new homes built since Kauai Habitat for Humanity started have had family members volunteer at the ReStore as part of their volunteer “sweat equity” hours.
“Today, we have two Pacanas, Alicia Sams and her mother, representing the Kauai Community College, Veterans Services, and the (retired) general is here,” said Ahia-Schimmelfennig. “Retired general Mary Kay Hertog is always volunteering at the ReStore. Today, she and Paula Schulze are representing the Kauai Veterans Council with a message to veterans — we’re always here for you.”
Ahia-Schimmelfennig said while the Kauai Habitat for Humanity has not done any of these volunteer opportunities for a while, the group recently was approved for a grant which will allow the Kauai Habitat for Humanity to participate in the National Day of Service event that will be coordinated by the Kauai Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, AmeriCorps Seniors on September 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kukui Grove Center.
Source: The Garden Island
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