Habitat for Humanity to hold open houses

The Lorain County Habitat for Humanity will hold “mini” open houses to entice prospective volunteers for their organization.

According to a news release from Habitat for Humanity, 30-minute sessions will take place at 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. July 18 at 300 Rice Industrial Parkway in Amherst.

ReStore, construction and office staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, the release said.

Volunteer time commitments start at four hours a month, and will give participants the chance to meet friendly, caring people,

learn new skills, use old skills, have fun and help the community, according to the release.

Opportunities for volunteers range from retail sales, merchandising and customer service at the organization’s Restore to helping with the construction of homes and helping with events.

No experience is necessary and training is provided, the release said.

Volunteers for the office may need moderate to advanced skills such as office/phone work, family selection and mentoring, database and internet work, as well as fundraising and marketing, according to the release.

Lorain County Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of the national Habitat for Humanity organization.

It is an international nonprofit that makes affordable housing as a matter of conscience, the release said.

Volunteers provide the labor, while corporate donors provide the money and materials. The families who move into the homes put hours of labor into them, then make no-interest mortgage payments that are used to make more homes, the release said.

MORNING JOURNAL FILE Lorain County Habitat for Humanity driver Neal Rutledge, left, and volunteers Juan Melendez, center, and Angelys Melendez paint cabinets on July 19, 2015.