After seeing a volunteer callout on Instagram for “Winter Warriors” in January, Reed decided to brace the chill and help us make progress when we needed volunteers the most. It was a cold and rainy day when he first stepped foot on our build site in NE Portland, but he said he walked away loving every minute of it. Now a regular volunteer, he picks a new task every week – one day it’s “case & base;” another, HVAC or framing.  
“Habitat not only afforded me the chance to meet people who are really active in the community,” he said, “but it also felt like I was building something and contributing.” 
New to Portland, Reed wanted to get plugged into the city and set roots. Since volunteering with us, he’s made ties with AmeriCorps members, fellow volunteers, and Habitat homebuyers as they build this neighborhood from the ground up.  
“One of the most important things in life is knowing that we’re all in this together,” he said. “And for me, that extends to making sure that I’m helping folks when I can and leaning on others when I need help as well.“ 
Reed encourages everyone to get involved with Habitat for Humanity no matter their experience level with construction. 
“If you have any anxieties about volunteering on the build site, those fears wash away the moment you step onsite,” he shared. “You’re going to feel good the first time you get to learn how to do something you didn’t know before and that feeling is going to follow you the whole week.” 
When Reed is not swinging hammers on our build site, you can catch him and his partner, Bob, hiking through the Gorge or taking a trip out to Mt. Hood to take in beauty that is Oregon.