Members of Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair (ARCHR)* have been working collaboratively since Hurricane Helene to ensure impacted low-income homeowners receive the help they need to repair their storm-damaged homes. Though more than 200 families have been helped to date, 400 have yet to be served.
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeing more out of town volunteer groups than ever before thanks to Thrivent, with a record 16 teams scheduled to volunteer in Asheville this year.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, volunteers came from around the country to help in repairing homes damaged by the storm. Lieutenant Ken Schulman, firefighter and team leader of Illinois Water Rescue 1, chose to spend his vacation returning to Asheville to help Habitat’s rebuilding efforts.
Robin found himself on a Habitat jobsite the year after he retired. Like so many other core volunteers, he found a new social group at Habitat. He is part of the Thursday core crew, largely because that’s the day of the week that he first volunteered.
Seeing my friends here is the best. You’re all like my second family. And knowing I can keep things organized, alphabetized, so people know exactly where stuff is supposed to go. I love what I do here.
Though their volunteer service at Asheville Habitat is largely apart from each other, their impact on the organization, as well as their appreciation for its results, is significant and shared.
When asked what he finds most rewarding about his nearly two decades of service, he points to the camaraderie: “Working with the people here.” It’s the simple routine of shared work that keeps him coming back.
Volunteerism with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity experienced a spike in 2025 on the heels of Hurricane Helene. A significant increase in out-of-town groups contributed, as did an increase in the number of local Home Repair core volunteers committing to helping repair homes every week. Nearly 2,700 individual volunteers collectively contributed more than 84,000 hours of service. The value of that donated time? According to Independent Sector, which values volunteer time at $34.79/hour, that level of service represents nearly $3M!
Core volunteers (weekly or bi-weekly) are foundational to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Their commitment to service has helped thousands of adults and children secure safe, stable and affordable homes, and enabled hundreds of aging adults to remain in their homes. Throughout National Volunteer Appreciation Week, staff will be visiting all volunteer sites, delivering special treats and appreciations to thank volunteers for their service.
“At Habitat, our work builds and rebuilds homes—but it also builds and rebuilds community and hope. Our volunteers open doors to stability for a family, to connection between neighbors, and to a deeper sense of purpose for those who serve. Together, we can build something bigger than any of us could do alone,” shared Andy Barnett, CEO of Asheville Habitat.
Eleven core volunteers reached noteworthy service milestones:
In addition to celebrating years of service, Asheville Habitat also recognizes annual hours of service. Many volunteers individually contribute hundreds and hundreds of hours each year. In 2025, these volunteers earned the Top 5 Hours:
What keeps them coming back, week after week and year after year? Overwhelmingly, it is a desire to support Habitat’s mission, enjoying camaraderie with fellow volunteers, and feeling a sense of meaning and fulfilment.
Construction Services core volunteer, Robin Smith offered, “You retire from a job, you don’t retire from the need for meaning, purpose, and joy. You find that at Habitat.”
Some fun facts about Asheville Habitat’s volunteer program:
61 Weaver Blvd. Weaverville, NC 28787
828-484-9432
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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904 Glenn Bridge Rd SE, Arden, NC 28704
76 New Heights Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
