HABITAT for HUMANITY: Providing Homes, Caring for the Needy, and Living out Works of Mercy

Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless — so many service ministries find unique ways to live out the works of mercy and care for the needy, and Habitat for Humanity is no exception. While many of the people who help build houses have no special skills, their willingness to give and learn means that a family will be able to move into a safe home. Rich Dimenna is on the Board of Directors for Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity and he is also the organization’s contact person here at St. Mary on the Hill.

“The work we do is fun and enjoyable so it doesn’t seem like much of a task,” Rich says. “But why am I doing this? As Christians and good Catholics, that’s what we’re called to do — take care of each other.”

The next build that Rich will be working on is sponsored by the Augusta Deanery of Catholic Churches. St. Mary on the Hill, along with St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, Most Holy Trinity, St. Joan of Arc, and Sacred Heart will all be contributing to the building of a brand-new home.

“We see this as a wonderful community-building project,” Rich says. “It helps Habitat and it helps the homeowner who pays for this house, but it’s also building community amongst the various churches.” Building can begin as soon as the proper building permits are approved. While Rich and his colleagues — affectionately known as “the geezers” — put in time during the week, they also join on Saturdays to help the volunteers get situated. Rich and his group of mostly retired doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have the hands-on experience to help new volunteers get comfortable using tools and helping to build.

Saturdays begin at 8 a.m. with a prayer and an important safety discussion. The volunteers break up into small groups, supervised by someone like Rich, to do their assigned tasks. They break for lunch, provided by another volunteer group, and then work until the end of the day.

“Our job is to be there to supervise and guide people because some people who volunteer have never picked up a hammer and our job is to show them,” explains Rich.

In his 30 years with Habitat for Humanity, Rich has seen many families leave unsafe living conditions and move into their own home. Many are the first in their family to ever own a home. Their stories have left an impact on Rich. Through home dedications and Appreciation Dinners, he has been able to witness the gratitude and the profound impact these homes have in the new homeowners’ lives.

“Unless you’ve been in their shoes, it’s hard to appreciate what this house means to them,” Rich says.

Volunteering to build a home is both a way to serve someone in need and to learn what goes into constructing a house.

“If you want to know what’s behind the walls in your house or want to understand what a contractor is saying, this is a way to learn it,” Rich says.

If you would like to volunteer with the next Habitat for Humanity build, please email Rich Dimenna at richdimenna@gmail.com . If you would like to donate to the Habitat for Humanity Augusta Deanery Project , please make checks payable to St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and in the memo area write: “Habitat for Humanity.” Donations may be made online by going to our website: stmaryonthehill.org and clicking on DONATIONS and them selecting Habitat for Humanity Augusta Deanery Project. Thank you for your support of this worthy deanery project.