Caroyln Valli - Veteren's Projects at Berkshire Habitat for Humanity

Carolyn Valli, Executive Director for Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, began by honoring our own Dick Laureyns with a plaque honoring his service to Habitat for Humanity and the Veterans of Berkshire County.  Carolyn explained that Dick not only always does an incredible amount of onsite work he also takes the time to listen to the veterans' stories, which is so greatly appreciated.  Dick was the key to explaining how veterans think to the management of Berkshire County Habitat for Humanity and the the need for veterans' to continue giving back to their community and how to communicate with them so that they accept the help that Habitat is so willing to give.  Carolyn reviewed the projects that Habitat has worked on over the last year including several projects for Veterans' that our club was directly involved in.  They finished their 36th homeowner project last year along with helping over 1,200 others with services such as financial literacy and tax preparation.  Habitat has just accepted its first homeowner for the 6 Zero Energy homes they are building on East Housatonic St in the coming year.