RBS Store Development Team Volunteers for Local Habitat for Humanity
Construction Projects Manager Nicole Merrill always wanted to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, but between a busy family life and work schedule, it was hard to find the opportunity. When she saw an advertisement in a local trade publication for the South County Habitat for Humanity (SCHH), an idea struck: It would be the perfect team-building experience – literally – for her Store Development team.
Fifteen members of the team gathered in mid-June in South Kingston, R.I. They were told about the family they were building for: a single mom who has done all the right things to provide for her family, but with today’s rising cost of rent and home prices found it difficult to find affordable options. That’s where SCHH and its volunteers come in.
“Collectively, we're engineers, architects and project managers, so we live and breathe construction,” Nicole said. “We all felt empowered to share our knowledge and work together.
“I do want to put a disclaimer here though: You don't need any construction experience to volunteer for Habitat,” she added. “They have a wonderful crew on site directing you as you go.”
Nicole was joined by colleagues Sal Sbriglio, Patrick Melle, Korie Kritzky, Chris Weady, Joanna Susin, Alayna Pawlowski, Joe Goduti, Bob Canny, Joe David, Patrick Brenker, Michael Warren, Yvonne Castellon, Greg Bedell and Tom Kolb.
Throughout the day, the volunteers worked on adding strapping for drywall on the first floor, framing the second floor and starting construction for a large shed.
“It was such a wonderful day – living the Retail Business Services values, but also knowing we were helping a local family,” said Nicole. “The energy was so positive and at the end of the day we all wanted to come back to volunteer again!”