Honoring Legacy Through Monthly Giving: Laura’s Story
Laura is a hardworking healthcare professional and caring mother who grew up in Cincinnati, but education and career have taken her out of state. Although she no longer lives in the area, Laura is deeply passionate about the community she called home for so many years and was inspired to become a monthly donor after her beloved father, Gary, became a devoted volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati.
Laura recalls her father doing lots of home improvement projects growing up, including building a brand-new deck and playsets for his children. After Gary retired from his 40-year career at P&G in 2012, he was looking for something meaningful to do with his spare time. This led him to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati. He has been volunteering for more than 10 years and is a leader in the Westfed volunteer group. Gary comes out with Westfed multiple times a week and has worked on over 20 Habitat homes in the region. “It's been a really good community for him,” says Laura.
Laura’s mother, Beth, has even gotten involved. Beth volunteers with homebuyer services, helping interview potential new homeowners and aiding in the homebuyer selection process. Gary and Beth also host a Christmas party for the Westfed volunteers each year. “It became a little bit of a family affair,” Laura says.
"Listening to the way that [my dad] talks about the community and how Habitat is helping to regenerate a lot of parts of Cincinnati that he remembers as a kid and to try and help give back to these families [is what inspires me to give]," says Laura. She began her monthly donation as a Christmas gift to her father in 2020 and has kept it going ever since. "I would prefer to give my time, but unfortunately at this stage of my life, I can't really give more time. So, by being able to financially support an organization that I think does a lot for the city of Cincinnati, even though I don't live there anymore, it holds a really special place in my heart."
What makes Habitat stand out to Laura is how involved the homebuyers are throughout the process. "When it comes to nonprofits and charities and giving, I think that Habitat is relatively unique in that they do require a buy-in from the family that's going to get the house,” says Laura. “I think that's really important in making it a lasting and positive change."
Although she may live across state lines, her commitment to this organization is unwavering. “Every little bit helps. I'm a normal, average, 30 something year old parent. I don't have a ton of money to give, but I'm giving a little bit,” says Laura. "I would just urge everybody to consider how they can get involved, even if it’s something super small, because community is what makes us better. And if we can improve our community, then we're all better for it."
