The Cars 4 Causes Blog.

Cars 4 Causes® employees often give of  their time and efforts to their own favorite charities and organizations. For example, employee Haley McSweeney spent a recent weekend volunteering for Habitat for Humanity®, and today’s blog is her firsthand account of the fears and joys of giving to a worthy cause.

After a long, and satisfying, day of hanging drywall, Haley McSweeney (far right) pauses with two friends, Carly (left) and Ilita.

My alarm went off at 6:30 am on Saturday morning, which was way earlier than I (or any college student for that matter) will ever be used to. I was excited, but mostly anxious because it was going to be my first time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. For those of you unfamiliar with Habitat for Humanity®, it is an ecumenical Christian ministry that builds affordable and sustainable housing for low-income families around the world. I set out for the HFH site, not knowing what to expect.

The nervousness subsided when I reached my destination. I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the volunteers were actually college students. The rest of the volunteers were either part of a church group or independent like me.

We started with an orientation, said a prayer, and then proceeded to install drywall on the ceilings for the next eight hours. I thought it was pretty ironic that I would get this job, since I’m just barely over five feet tall. We all felt kind of awkward starting out, but we found our rhythm and developed a comradery really quickly. It’s funny how working for a greater cause can do that for people.

As it turns out, I’m not too shabby of a drywaller. I left with a newfound sense of humbleness and satisfaction.  It wasn’t a ‘look what I did’ kind of thing, but a sincere sense of joy that came from knowing that I really had made a difference.

I’m lucky enough to work for a charity that makes a difference in the lives of others every day. I spend my days immersed in a world where people are constantly giving of themselves. One thing I’ve learned is that Cars 4 Causes® employees often volunteer on their own time.

One of our supervisors uses her personal strengths and creativity to help others. She volunteers speaking to women in jail about quitting alcohol and substance abuse, and making a better life for themselves. She’s also raised over $800 from face painting at the Harvest Moon Festival, and donated the proceeds to her son’s elementary school.

Stephanie, another one of our employees, runs a ministry called Personal Touch. The ministry is an outreach program that helps people feel more welcome when they first come to church when they might feel like an outcast otherwise.

Volunteering at Habitat for Humanity® was a truly rewarding experience, and I encourage everyone to serve when you can. Make a car donation today!