Sherwood named Volunteer of the Year for Habitat for Humanity International Middle States Region
Habitat for Humanity of Laredo president Carol Sherwood has been honored as the 2003 Volunteer of the Year for the Habitat for Humanity International Middle States Region.
Sherwood has been involved with Habitat for Humanity of Laredo since soon after its beginning eight years ago and has served as the board president for the past four years, and is now doing the work of a full-time volunteer executive director.
Habitat for Humanity of Laredo is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), and is part of HFHI's eight-state Middle States Region that includes Texas , Oklahoma , Kansas , Nebraska , Missouri , Arkansas , Louisiana , and Mississippi . The Volunteer of the Year award is given for significant accomplishments that have advanced the mission of HFHI. As regional winner, Sherwood will be considered for one of HFHI's two national Volunteer of the Year awards.
In nominating Sherwood for the award, Habitat for Humanity of Laredo staff member Juan Salinas noted that Sherwood volunteers at least 50 hours a week, working on everything from overseeing the office to raising funds to build Habitat houses. On the weekends, she picks up a hammer and helps build the houses she helped finance during the week.
“Carol is a modern day selfless hero,” Salinas said. “She is known for inspiring the energy and courage in others to make their own dreams into a reality through action.”
Under Sherwood's leadership, Habitat for Humanity of Laredo has developed a collaborative effort to acquire the resources to set the stage for the affiliate's housing production to grow by 500 percent during 2003-04 and to project a growth of more than 1000 percent into 2005. Sherwood has been instrumental in organizing the resources necessary to develop the affiliate's Colonia Alternative Communities throughout the Laredo area to help provide home ownership to some of the poorest families in America .
“Carol's hard work may only be exceeded by her extraordinary vision,” Habitat Middle States Regional Director Joe Gatlin said. “She has been able to attract support for the Colonia initiative on both the local and national level due to her passion and commitment.”
For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Laredo and its home ownership program, contact the office at 956/724-3227 at 1907 Freight Street or by email: habitatlaredo@aol.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers opportunities are always available through committees and on construction sites.
