Thirty Realtors and developers spent time building homes last week during Johnson Development’s Build Day at Habitat Montgomery County.

The volunteers constructed 10 walls during the Build Day, creating approximately half the walls needed for a two-bedroom home. Johnson Development donated $5,000 for their Build Day, which Habitat will use towards paying the rest of the costs for the home.

“Each home has more than 2,500 hours of volunteer work spread over about 400 volunteer shifts,” said Debra Richmond, director of strategic partnerships for Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County. “Without volunteers, we couldn’t provide affordable housing to Montgomery County.

“We have to pay the same suppliers as everyone else when it comes to building our homes,” Richmond continued. “We do try to get donated items whenever we can, but that doesn’t happen all of the time.”

While this was the first Build Day for Johnson Development, Realtor relations liaison Monica Conchola says this won’t be their last.

“This was so much fun and a very rewarding experience,” Conchola said. “Buying a new home is a life-changing experience for anyone, but particularly those in the Habitat for Humanity program. We are honored to help make that dream a reality.”

While volunteer builders are essential to Habitat Montgomery County’s mission, the organization also accepts support in the form of monetary donations, cars, boats, recreational vehicles, furniture, homegoods and appliances. Sponsorships are available for Habitat Montgomery County’s upcoming fundraiser, the Building Hope Gala, on April 1, 2023.