HGS Partnering with Habitat for Humanity to Build House for Local Mother

As thousands flock to “The Doak” on Saturday to build on the Seminoles’ early record, another group of fans will gather just blocks away to build on the dreams of a local mother.  Staff and attorneys from Hopping Green & Sams (HGS), a Tallahassee law firm, have partnered with Big Bend Habitat for Humanity to build a new home.  HGS is sponsoring the entire cost of the home build for a local single mother who, while working full-time and caring for her disabled son, has committed more than 300 volunteer hours to Habitat home projects since 2008.

“Not only is this initiative an opportunity for our firm to give back to the community, it is also a unique way for our employees and families to spend meaningful time together outside the office making a difference,” said Susan Stephens, an HGS shareholder and co-coordinator of the firm’s Habitat project.

Nearly 40 attorneys and 25 members of the firm’s staff have committed more than 1,500 hours of service to completing the home project between September and December 2011.  HGS volunteers will
be engaged in every aspect of the comprehensive home build, including installation of: framing, decking, trusses, doors, windows, roofing, siding, insulation, interior paint, and landscaping. Each Saturday schedule will be designed to complete the home by January 2012.

“Building this home will help a local mother start a new year by turning a new page in her life,” said Vinette Godelia, a shareholder at HGS. “We all look forward to inviting a very deserving family into a comfortable and safe home in January.”

A ground breaking ceremony for the new home, including introduction of the home’s future owners, is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Tallahassee, Florida.  For more information about the HGS home build project, please contact Susan Stephens at (850) 425-2364 or visit the HGS community page and www.habitally.org.