Last Sunday, Austin Habitat for Humanity bestowed its Fuller Life Award upon long time supporter Larry Parks. This prestigious award, along with seven others, was presented by President and CEO Michael Willard at Austin Habitat’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, held this year at Shady Springs Party Barn in southeast Austin.
The Fuller Life Award recognizes lifetime achievement in serving the community through a partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity. The award receives its name from Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976, and died last year after a lifetime of service.
Today, Austin Habitat for Humanity is one of thousands of U.S. affiliates that partners with the local community to end the cycle of poverty housing.
Austin Habitat for Humanity honored Larry Parks with this year’s Fuller Life Award because of his long-time commitment to affordable homeownership in Austin. Parks first became involved with Austin Habitat 12 years ago, when it was recruiting volunteers to blitz build 12 houses in 12 days. Since then, he has worked on 25 homes, a number that holds special significance in Austin Habitat for Humanity’s 25th anniversary year.
Parks, an attorney with Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., originally came to Austin Habitat to fill the free time he had on Saturdays when his daughters entered their teenage years. He also had construction skills, as his grandfather was a carpenter and his father built three of the homes his family lived in. Before long, however, he grew to appreciate the Austin Habitat story on a very personal level.
“I can still remember one of the first homeowners I built with on Cedar Street,” Parks says. “Two years before, she had been unemployed and homeless. When someone asked what she was most looking forward to about her new Habitat home, she replied, ‘No one can tell me I have to leave.’ Every home has a story, and every donor and volunteer is just blessed to be a part of that.”
Another important part of Parks’ Habitat story is two volunteers he transports to the construction site from Marbridge, a central Texas community for adults with cognitive challenges. Justin and Jon have been volunteering for 8 and 7 years respectively, and bring an infectious enthusiasm to the worksite. Parks says they have become two of his closest friends.
Austin Habitat development manager Julie Smith says she nominated Parks for the award because he is the quintessential supporter: “He donates a substantial amount every year to our homebuilding program. He volunteers, and recruits other volunteers to the Austin Habitat family. He advocates by speaking about the Habitat mission to groups throughout Austin. He does it all.”
Austin Habitat depends on volunteers like Parks to accomplish its mission of putting people in stable, affordable homes. The Volunteer Appreciation Party was a celebration of the extraordinary efforts of these individuals during the current housing crisis. The event aligned with National Volunteer Week, the theme of which for 2010 is “Celebrating People in Action.”
Other awards and award winners include:
Steve Marcie, winner of the Fuller Life Award for lifetime achievement in serving the community through a partnership through a partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity
Jeff Serra, winner of the Tornquist-Tugendhat Award for Board commitment beyond the scope of responsibility
Steve Dobie, winner of the Tim Pugh Award for a site leader who has shown excellence in and commitment to the elimination of poverty housing through construction
Lane Price, Joe Moran, Tim Bailey and Angel Lopez, winners of the Outstanding Newcomer Award for someone who jumped in and made a substantial contribution their first year at Austin Habitat for Humanity
Lorraine Miller, Debbie Langehennig and Vicki Goodwin winner of the Karen Nordby Award for a woman who excels in leadership areas within Austin Habitat for Humanity
Richard Anderson, Betty McBride, Mary Aldrich, Andrea Hopkins and Martha Hoflich, winners of the Unsung Hero Award for volunteers who significantly contribute to the mission of Austin Habitat for Humanity through their work in administration, committees, and special events
Orlando Martinez and Jade Sorrell, winners of the Outstanding Volunteer Homeowner Award for continual participation with Austin Habitat for Humanity above and beyond their sweat equity requirements
Dan Nelson, winner of the Guiding Light Award for the homeownership educator who made an extra effort to provide the critical information that will lead partner families to successful homeownership
AHFH Americorps at Volunteer Appreciation Party
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