Family Volunteer Day Recap

I sat down with Jim Mulrooney and his son Mack to talk about their experience at the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's Family Volunteer Day, held back in December of 2022. Family Volunteer Day allows Habitat staff, volunteers, and community members to spend a day learning with their families about Habitat and its mission with a range fun-filled activities. This event provides the unique opportunity for our Habitat community to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to learn and grow together. 

There were several stations that were run by an excellent team of volunteers at this Family Volunteer Day. Attendees had the option to learn about fundraising, participate in a scavenger hunt, make some crafts, help build toy boxes, design their dream home, or take some pictures in the photo booth. Everyone I spoke to who attended the event said that it was really fun to interact with this extended Habitat community. 

Among these stations, Mack said his favorite was the Toy Box Building Station because "I like mostly thinking about where the toys are going, to the other kids." Even though he's not quite old enough yet, Mack can't wait to be able to help build homes onsite. That was one of the main takeaways that I got from talking to him during our brief interview.  He's even spent some time helping out his grandpa at their family cabin doing things like laying wire and general upkeep. 

Jim also really enjoyed being able to take Mack with him to the event because it's difficult to find a more hands on habitat experience that has a wider age range. Jim's favorite part was "Being able to volunteer together, to get the young people to understand how blessed we all are." He also mentioned the conversations he had had with Mack individually about the importance of affordable housing and how important it is that everyone has access to a place they can call home. I think it's safe to say that we can expect some great things from the next generation of Habitat Volunteers.