Nat swinging a hammer in Eastham

Around the Habitat office, we tend to think of Nat Goddard as "Mr. Faith Build 2012." Nat was the organizing genius behind the group that raised over $25,000 for our Sandy Meadow Way build in Eastham by helping other groups of volunteers create fundraising events. Faith Build 2012 originated with the Faith Relations Committee, and many, many volunteers made the initiative possible, but Nat became the chair of the committee and was a driving force. The model he started is now the one we see as a template for other grass-roots fundraising initiatives around the Cape. We are emulating that template right now in Falmouth and Orleans with other faith communities and civic groups. 

But Nat is not just a fundraiser. He serves on the Faith Relations Committee, and works as a construction volunteer at our sites. He is also a busy volunteer for other organizations: a board member of The Friends of the Seashore, a volunteer naturalist at the Audubon Society, and a very active member of his church, Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, where he is Vestry Warden and chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Nat's first involvement with Habitat was in 2009 when Church of the Holy Spirit sponsored a home at Gomes Way in Harwich. Nat had always been interested in Habitat's goals, and was well aware of the need for affordable housing on Cape Cod. He also enjoys "doing things around the house," and has helped with handyman projects at his church, so moving into construction was a natural for him. Nat says he is constantly learning from the construction leaders - and benefits from that learning, as it helps him with projects at home or at the church.

Nat helps build because, as he sees and hears about the conditions in which the families have lived, he has grown to understand the very real need for affordable housing here on Cape Cod, which can be an expensive place to live. He also likes to watch the whole house come together, floor by floor. "It's the realization of an idea or dream - and to be able to do this is wonderful." Nat has seen the excitement of the family as they near the time when they can move in, and enjoys seeing the kids, in particular, come in and sit in the corner of the room and imagine it is going to be their room. 

Because Nat has worked as both a construction volunteer and on the Faith Relations Committee, he sees more than one side in working with Habitat. He feels it is important for potential volunteers to know "there are so many opportunities for people who identify with the Habitat goals in addition to construction: registration, food, devotions, ReStore, family selection, family partnering, committee involvement, etc." And for Nat, much of his joy in working with Habitat - whether at the construction site or as part of the Faith Relations Committee - comes from his relationship with other volunteers. He clearly gets great joy out of seeing people work with their passions and get to take satisfaction in a job well done. Working with Habitat is "contagious," says Nat, "The more you do, the more contagious it is."  

Get the Habitat bug! To volunteer, contact Dawn Walnut at dawn@habitatcapecod.org or 508-362-3559 ex. 16.