Habitat presents lifetime awards

The volunteers at Sisters Habitat for Humanity give their time because they believe in the Habitat mission and have a heart to help families in Sisters.

Five of these volunteers were honored recently at Sisters Habitat for Humanity's 25th Anniversary celebration. These five have served for so many years that they were awarded the President's Lifetime Achievement Award, an award presented to those who have given more than 4,000 hours to one organization.

One of Sisters Habitat's first volunteers, Russell Williams, served as secretary on the founding board when Sisters Habitat was incorporated in 1991. He and his wife, Nancy, were friends with Sisters Habitat's founders Hort and Julia Hammond. He was a volunteer cashier in the Thrift Store until 2007 when the ReStore was established. Now, Williams spends most Saturdays helping customers and receiving items at the ReStore.

He's always ready to greet shoppers with a story and a smile.

"I enjoy the contact with the local folks and the out-of-town people who come into the store. It's interesting to meet these people and talk to them about Habitat," he said.

Three of the five lifetime award recipients have been long-time volunteers at the construction site, contributing more than 15,000 hours combined.

George Sproat joined the Habitat team in 1999 when his daughter Tana Sproat was selected as a future homeowner. But Habitat wasn't his first foray into community service. He served on the Sisters City Council from 1967 to 1983 and was mayor from 1973 to 1983. He started George's Septic Service in Sisters in 1963. George has become known as the laminate flooring expert while working at the homes.

When Bob Harris retired from farming and moved to Sisters he began volunteering with Habitat because he "needed a place to stay out of trouble." He signed up to help build the home for Jackie Kolb and her family. That was 2002, and since then he's has been faithfully showing up at the construction site Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, unless of course it is hunting or fishing season. Harris served on the Habitat board for six years and had a stint as board president.

Larry Lennon began volunteering at the jobsite in 2001 when the crew started building the home for Peggy Dorsett and her family. He is a close friend of Harris and goes on hunting and fishing trips, too. Lennon is currently the chairperson of the Habitat building committee and also served on the board for six years; two of those as vice-president. He is a member of Habitat's family partnership committee and in 2010 worked alongside homeowner Jimmy Loudermilk while his house was being built.

Eloise Barry may not be found at the Habitat stores or on the construction site, but she has quietly served as the "Habitat Angel" since 2001.

As chairperson of the partnership committee, she has created a robust program, managing up to 20 volunteers who are family partners and mentor future homeowners.

Barry, who was not able to attend the 25th anniversary celebration, has been instrumental in working with the folks at Suttle Lake Camp to begin Creation Vacation, an annual family camp for Habitat homeowners.

Marie Clasen, Habitat family and volunteer services manager, said Barry is dubbed Habitat's Angel because of her devotion to the families, her words of wisdom, and her countless hours behind the scenes supporting the staff.

"Sisters Habitat for Humanity is fortunate to have many talented and dedicated volunteers. The lifetime award recipients have served nearly every week for 15 years. These are the first volunteers we have recognized with lifetime awards, and we felt it was fitting as we reached our anniversary milestone," Sharlene Weed, Habitat's executive director, said.