Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton’s Board of Trustees Annual Meeting on Jan. 30 featured a room full of rising stars and partners. Dayton Habitat's 2024 success would not have been possible without the tireless work of our volunteer board members and dedicated staff, as well as the support of our community. From those we serve to our army of hard-working volunteers and our generous donors, each year, Dayton Habitat strives to build a community and relationships. The Annual Meeting was a night of celebration for everyone affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton. 

The night began by honoring the legacy of former President and tireless Habitat supporter Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn started volunteering with Habitat in 1984, and the Carter Work Project they began in 1993 has built 4,390 homes in the U.S. and 13 other countries.

Attendees heard from various partners and individuals Habitat has served over four panels. 

Catherine, a Habitat homeowner for over two decades, shared her insights on the long-term effects of homeownership. She shared about her experience when buying her Habitat home in 2004 and how her home has changed not only her life but the lives of others around her. 

"I refused to stay there [her home prior to Habitat]; it was moldy, roach-infested, rat-infested. I almost didn’t make it out of there,” she recalled. Fueled by thankfulness, Catherine opened her home to help raise over 30 children, both family and non-family.

“All but two children graduated that could graduate,” she said. “Neighbors have helped us. God gave me a house in Trotwood. My house is my dream house. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m the richest poor person there.”

Another panel was focused on volunteerism and the importance of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton. In 2024, a volunteer's time was valued at $33.49 per hour. With our organization receiving nearly 23,000 volunteer hours per year, volunteers are crucial to Habitat's mission. As such, each year, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton presents the annual Frank Gorman Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award to an individual or individuals who show dedication to our mission. Their year construction volunteer trio Jack White, Ray Raber, and Bruce Pratte, all of Springfield, received the honor. Together, they led the rehab of eight homes, helped build one new house, and completed over two dozen critical repairs.

Other successes shared during the evening included:

• Retiring board members Bobby Beavers and Pete Hoshor were honored for nine years of dedicated service.
• Nearly 200 critical repairs were performed for homeowners, free of charge, in 2024.
• In 2024, five new homeowners were added, while 11 of our homeowners finished paying off their zero-interest mortgages. Fourteen new families were accepted into our homeownership program.
• Over 5,000 people volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton in 2024.
• 63 concrete floors were poured in Guatemala through our international partnership with the Guatemala Habitat.
• Since our affiliate was formed in 1983, we’ve partnered with our volunteers, donors, and communities to build or repair 688 homes and serve 972 families.

If you want to join the Habitat mission as a donor, volunteer, or homeowner, visit daytonhabitat.org or call 937-586-0860.