Laura Jones and Jackie Gaglio
Masco Cabinetry employees Jackie Gaglio and Laura Jones have two very different Habitat for Humanity experiences. Gaglio, an experienced Habitat for Humanity volunteer, volunteering for almost 20 years in four different states, has continually seen the hard work, emotion and enthusiasm that goes in to a Habitat home. Jones, on the other hand, is a first-time Habitat for Humanity volunteer working with Huron Valley’s 100th House – the “Merillat House.”
The Masco family of businesses, including new Ann Arbor resident Masco Cabinetry, Masco Corporation and the Masco Corporation Foundation, have joined together to provide the necessary funding, gift-in-kind donations and volunteer needs for Habitat Huron Valley’s 100th home in Washtenaw County.
“I was an avid DIY’er,” Gaglio said about her initial involvement with Habitat for Humanity in the early 1990s. “I realized that by volunteering with Habitat, not only would I be able to satisfy my need to “build something”, but I would also be helping a hard-working family fulfill their dream of purchasing and owning a safe, decent, affordable home of their own.” Habitat families purchase their home at a zero-percent interest mortgage, complete 300 hours per adult of “sweat equity” on the project and take financial management classes.
“I was thrilled when Masco Cabinetry announced it was launching a program in Washtenaw County,” said Jones, who had been interested in becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years. “The more I learned about Habitat, the more I wanted to participate in a local build… and was eager to dedicate some of my time to such a worthwhile cause.”
Both Gaglio and Jones truly bonded with future homeowners in each of their first-time Habitat experiences through their enthusiasm and excitement. “As we moved from room to room, she would describe her “vision” for each room. Her excitement and enthusiasm were very contagious and reminded me of why I was there,” said Gaglio. “It was such a nice feeling knowing that in a small way, I was helping make her vision a reality.”
“My favorite part of the experience was working alongside future homeowner, mother and wife, Brianna,” Jones said about her first Habitat experience with the “Merillat House.” “Watching her excitement about the new home was inspiring. It gave the project an incredibly personal feel to it because we weren’t just rebuilding a home for ‘someone.’ We all felt her excitement and were happy to help her family meet their dream of homeownership.” Habitat families often work alongside the volunteers and sponsors of their future home.
“There was something for everyone to do, and if you didn’t know how to do something – there was an experienced Habitat volunteer there to help,” continued Jones. According to Jones and Gaglio, tasks can range from carving areas in need of new dry wall, applying drywall, installing basement insulation, taking apart base moldings, sweeping debris and much more.
“It’s also a great chance to meet a lot of new people,” Jones said. “I didn’t know a single person on the job site, but enjoyed every aspect thoroughly. Individuals who started as quiet strangers in the morning were joking with each other and sharing smiles by the end of the day. It was even more rewarding than I had imagined.”
There have been many Masco Cabinetry teams, including the Operations, Human Resources and Marketing teams that have volunteered their time on the project making it a “teambuilding” experience for their departments.
“A lot of things have changed since I began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity almost 20 years ago,” said Gaglio. “But one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s my respect for the organization and admiration for the partner families, who are among the most hard-working and determined people I’ve ever met. They’ve faced tough obstacles on their path to home ownership and their resilience and determination are very inspiring. Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is a very rewarding and uplifting experience!”
Tags: Habitat For Humanity, Jackie Gaglio, Laura Jones, Masco Cabinetry, merillat, Merillat House