Tag Archives: Don and Diane Barnes

A Day at Habitat – Veteran Volunteer

20 Jul

At Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, when we think dedication the name Rick Sharp comes to mind. Rick has been volunteering with HFHGCA for 23 years. Rick said he found out about Habitat through an article in the local paper talking about our first build working on the Signal Mountain house. The worked intrigued him, so he decided to become a volunteer. From that day on he was hooked.

“A hammer is a good item,” said Rick. He loves working with his hands and Habitat is a great way to do that. “It is a worthwhile experience to volunteer.” Rick volunteer one Saturday every month with First Christian Church, and he also comes on Thursdays with Rivermont Presbyterian Church. Rick said he keeps coming to volunteer after 23 years because he likes the people he works with and the fun that he has.

Rick favorite jobs to do while on the work site are putting up the walls and the trim. His least favorite part is painting the inside of the house. He would much rather have a hammer in his hands. Rick said he likes how Habitat is constantly changing the way they build to keep improving and growing.

Beside HFHGCA, one of Rick’s favorite activities is growing roses. He works on them with another Habitat volunteer Charlie and they grow about 125 roses. Another thing that Rick likes to do is build model railroads.

If you like to work with you as like Rick does, we encourage you to come by and volunteer. Contact Dawn Hjelseth (423) 756-0507 ext. 16 for more information. Or visit our website for information on our staff, how to volunteer, projects we have going on, and how to donate.

Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

9 Mar

Friends, Habitat homeowners, board members and staff gathered recently at the McCallie School to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Don and Diane Barnes to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s home building program.  The Barnes have worked as full-time volunteer construction site supervisors for more than 14 years!

Don Barnes (left) and Diane Barnes (middle) receive the 2009 HFHI Life Time Achievement Award Plaque from Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

After heavy hors d’œuvres Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga introduced several people who spoke about how Don and Diane’s service has impacted their lives.    A plaque from Habitat for Humanity International was presented to the couple in recognition of their selection as winners of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their work in making affordable housing available for those who need it.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a scroll containing the names of the 144 partner families and the funding partners the Barnes have worked with.  As the scroll was unrolled, it eventually encircled the entire room, dramatically capturing the impact that two individuals can have through service.

Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga begins unrolling a scroll with the names of the 218 families whose homes Don Barnes (center) and Diane Barnes (right) have helped build over the years.

“The Barnes have invested their time in building homes for families, and in helping thousands of volunteers see Habitat’s work, not just as an exercise in building a house, but in creating a home and a future for a family,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Don and Diane are people of strong faith and conviction – they build as if they are building unto God – they set a high standard – we are truly blessed to have them as partners in our work.”

Habitat board members, staff, homeowners and friends of Diane and Don Barnes help hold up a scroll with the names of the 144 families whose homes they have helped build.

Don and Diane Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award!

18 Dec

Don and Diane Barnes have received Habitat for Humanity International’s 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award for their outstanding efforts to make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality for everyone.

After participating in several mission trips with their church, Hixson First Baptist, Don and Diane participated  in a Habitat build with area Baptist congregations.  Soon after  Diane began working with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to encourage women to build through its first  Women Build house.  After Don retired from Dupont, they served as full-time site leaders, working daily alongside Habitat’s construction staff, and those first two homes turned into many more.

Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga (left) with Don Barnes (2nd from left) Diane Barnes (3rd from left), Erika Pope, (right) whose home is being built in the Barnes’ honor, and Sumner McCallie, Habitat’s board president (2nd from right).

“Over the years Don and Diane have put in countless hours in helping community volunteers build Habitat homes,” said Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Their attention to quality and excellence have set an example for staff and for volunteers – over their many years of service they have lived out their faith in a practical way, by building homes for our partner families with the attention to quality that all of us desire in our own homes.”

“Don and Diane have been a major part of the work of the Chattanooga Habitat family,” Palmer said.  “We are grateful for their contributions, and are excited to see them receive recognition for their dedicated service.  As a token of our gratitude, our next building coming up in January will be dedicated in their honor!”

Habitat for Humanity International recognized four volunteers with the 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award. Every year thousands of volunteers serve as builders, fundraisers, advocates and more to further Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing from the face of the earth.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

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