Habitat For Humanity, building a community with Donuts!

Mike W. Team Leader

The Wednesday Nut

Every year around this time my colleagues and I don our red volunteer shirts and, on behalf of Wells Fargo, volunteer our time to help with our local Habitat for Humanity group, Habitat for Humanity-North Shore, formed in 1985, to assist with several of their on-going projects.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the organization, Habitat for Humanity,  is a "nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. They build with people in need regardless of race or religion." Habitat depends largely on donations and the support of its volunteers, all from a wide range of backgrounds. Volunteers are normally divided into groups, depending on skills and interests, where they will take on various stages of demolishing existing properties and reconstructing new living spaces. The skills learned at a Habitat project can be invaluable for volunteers, and you are sure to create lasting friendships. As this past weekends project started at 8:00am, and we typically bring the coffee and donuts, what better time to bring along some of the best from our neighborhood shops for all to enjoy. 1 important fact to note; though many independent shops will start production in the wee hours of the morning, the donuts may not be on the shelves until after 7:00am, which in this case presented a problem; call ahead! 





Kaelyn and Andrew enjoy a few!

The donuts selected for this weekend came from The Donut Villa, Malden , Ma and one of my all time favorites (not just because it's 5 minutes from my house) Lyndells Bakery, Somerville, Ma. The good thing about these 2 shops (other than the donuts of course) is that, 1) they are relatively close to each other and 2)Donut Villa opens at 5:30am, while Lyndells opens at 7:00am. Why is the staggered opening a good thing? Well, because once your average donut hunter has visited the Donut Villa for a few jelly sticks and finished a coffee to aid digestion, Lyndells is about to open and you have a few moments to rest up on the drive over before starting the next chow down. Not that this is what I did, but one could do this if they were so inclined. On this fine morning I visited the Villa, ordered a dozen, walked out to the truck, jelly stick in hand, ate it, and then promptly turned around and walked back in to order another dozen before heading to Lyndells; it all depends on your preference.

Needless to say the donuts were a hit. In fact our foreman, Don, could be seen going back to the box every chance he got to grab another. We started off the morning all smiles and ended in much the same way. We had once again successfully contributed at least a small part of a project that will mean new housing for those less fortunate and a chance at a better life.

 

Scot is all smiles!

Which, right along with this picture, reminds me of the optimists creed and how fitting the donut is to a Habitat for Humanity project: ""As you ramble through life Brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole" ...giving back is always the best gift.