Russell Abbrecht, Habitat homeowner and volunteer, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award recently at a recognition ceremony held at the Knight Non-Profit Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. The recognition was sponsored by United Way of Southern Mississippi.

Russell was among nineteen persons selected for special recognition for their volunteer efforts in Southern Mississippi.

Like many others in Hancock County, Russell suffered great loss when Katrina ravaged Hancock County in 2005. However, Russell suffered even more.

That same year, he suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side.

Shortly thereafter, his wife filed for divorce. When he applied for a Habitat house, he was living alone and unable to work, having been diagnosed as totally disabled.

When Habitat partners with an individual or family, they are required to invest “sweat equity,” which is time spent building one’s house and the houses of others. In Russell’s case, this was not possible. Nevertheless, Russell wanted to do whatever he could to help. Habitat finally agreed to let him answer the phones at the office. When his sweat equity was satisfied, Russell moved into his new Habitat house in December of 2007.

It's 2009, and Russell is still answering the phones for Habitat, usually two days a week. More than two years after he satisfied his sweat equity requirement, Russell stays on as a volunteer. Even though his disability makes the process of getting dressed, climbing in a car and driving to work two days a week a major effort, Russell is eager to help. “This community has given me so much, this is just my way of giving back,” says Russell.

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