Lee gets a chop saw lesson from Carolyn Kennedy

Lee Cristofolo works for ADP Dealer Services, a company that provides technology services to vehicle dealers globally. Lee is a team leader in the call center. ADP promotes social responsibility and donates eight hours for each associate each year for their volunteer work. Lee feels that this is a "wonderful opportunity for associates worldwide to get involved with their communities."

After seeing flyers posted for Habitat's Women Build, Lee decided to use some of her community service working on the project. "What captured my eye was the logo with the flower and a hammer and the words 'Women Build.' I took the flyer home and I felt drawn to the idea." Lee decided to attend a project overview learning session, which was led by the Women Build Steering Committee under the capable leadership of longtime Habitat volunteer Carolyn Kennedy. After the session, Lee says she was hooked. And when she heard the Women Build would start with a blitz week, she knew she was "in" - not just for a day, but for the whole week.

Lee actually took a vacation week from work to volunteer for the whole thing. "Woman Build was particularly appealing to me because I did not feel intimidated if I missed the nail, if it was going to take 8 hits or 35 hits. We were all in it together and with the team leaders behind us - helping, assisting, leading, I felt positive, confident, and supported in my efforts."

Raising walls on the home during the first day was a highlight of the week for Lee. She said, "I felt like a superhero - I felt pumped - doing the right thing in the right place for the right person with the right team."

Lee got to work alongside Kelly Lungo, who will put in 250 hours of sweat equity as part of her purchase agreement to own the house. For Lee, this was also a valuable part of the experience. "Hearing her excitement made me feel regenerated during my days, and also made me very thankful for all I have. I am glad for what I can offer and leave for Kelly and her son in this home for years to come."

At the end of the week, Lee says she found the volunteer experience to be rewarding, inspiring, challenging, and refreshing. One of the things she'd been telling herself for years was "I wish I could do that," turned into an experience that she feels gave her social interaction and new skills she would not have learned otherwise. Despite the challenges, or perhaps because of them, Lee says she came away feeling more confident that "I can handle any project and challenging work."

Lee wants anyone out there who is thinking of volunteering at a Habitat build site to give it a try. "Don't question yourself -you can do it!! There's so much support, and feeling of family, and community there. It was an awesome feeling and an experience everyone should have! Thank you Habitat for Humanity - Women Build!!"