Annual Volunteer Day of Service on MLK Day

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh held their Annual Volunteer Day of Service on Monday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, where a large contingent of devoted volunteers helped work on several houses as well as participate in the Annual Luncheon, not only building homes, but critical community and lasting relationships.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh held their Annual Volunteer Day of Service on Monday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, where a large contingent of devoted volunteers helped work on several houses as well as participate in the Annual Luncheon, not only building homes, but critical community and lasting relationships.

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Principles with power.

It’s an elusive combination that J. Edward Lewis does not take lightly. Throughout his lifetime, he has detected it in some rare individuals: Jimmy Carter as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are among that esteemed list.

Fittingly, Lewis, the Senior Pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church in the City of Newburgh, spoke about both of these individuals Monday at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service’s Luncheon.

Senior Pastor of Newburgh’s Calvary Presbyterian Church, J. Edward Lewis, who met and sang for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967, delivers moving words at Monday’s Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service Luncheon.
Senior Pastor of Newburgh’s Calvary Presbyterian Church, J. Edward Lewis, who met and sang for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967, delivers moving words at Monday’s Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service Luncheon.

“We see a parallel between the principles with power that Carter had with those of Dr. King’s,” affirmed Lewis, who as a youth in 1967, in Toledo, met and sang for Dr. King.
Carter, who, along with his wife Rosalynn, devoted years of selfless service to the Habitat organization, in many ways resonates the exact qualities-visions Dr. King possessed and this country celebrated Monday. Just as Dr. King steadfastly believed in giving whatever you can to one’s community, making stronger living spaces and bonds in the process, Habitat too follows that guiding mantra. Celebrating that spirit, large numbers of volunteers, along with several political dignitaries; including Congressman, Pat Ryan and Assemblyman, Christopher Eachus, turned out on MLK Day, contributing their manual labor to the construction of several houses as well as painting the siding at the organization’s headquarter site.

“This is one of our largest volunteer events; people come from all over to work and honor the legacy of Dr. King,” said Paul Brothe, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Board President. “I worked with one of the members who is waiting for a Habitat House; it was so nice to be working with someone who is looking forward to home ownership while giving back to the community.”

Penny, a present Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh homebuyer in the Home Ownership Program, speaks about her transformative journey with Habitat at Monday’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service Luncheon.
Penny, a present Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh homebuyer in the Home Ownership Program, speaks about her transformative journey with Habitat at Monday’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service Luncheon.

Brothe added, “Dr. King was all about service, so this is a fitting event, putting his words into practice; together, we can all make a difference, and on this day, we remember Dr. King and work together to build a better future.”

Also contributing her house building skill set Monday was Jill Marie, Executive Director of the Greater Newburgh Habitat branch. Relaying how she had just shared an assortment of the potent MLK quotes with her daughter that morning, Jill Marie went on to say how so much of what he put out to the world replicated the guiding principles- equity, faith- of Habitat for Humanity.

“There is a ripple effect with Habitat; it’s all about community and understanding what we do has an effect on it,” said Jill Marie. “It warms my heart that we can celebrate a day that celebrates a man who represents that.”

And with that celebration exists the still direly needed existence of and dedicated commitment to those precious, rare gems both Carter and Dr. King embody.

“We need to recover our souls,” offered Lewis, who further spoke about the beauty of difference in “people gardens” and cultivating relationships. “I hope my words today have been important to help with that so needed process.”

Senator Pat Ryan was on hand Monday lending a hand at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event included construction- involving volunteers and soon- to- be homeowners-on several homes in the area.
Senator Pat Ryan was on hand Monday lending a hand at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event included construction- involving volunteers and soon- to- be homeowners-on several homes in the area.
From left are: Jill Marie, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Executive Director; Chis Eachus, Assemblyman; and Paul Brothe, President of the Board of Habitat for Humanity Greater Newburgh, each was on hand volunteering Monday at the organization’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service.
From left are: Jill Marie, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Executive Director; Chis Eachus, Assemblyman; and Paul Brothe, President of the Board of Habitat for Humanity Greater Newburgh, each was on hand volunteering Monday at the organization’s Annual Volunteer Day of Service.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email