Volunteer Profile

Maurice Beesley
Construction Site Volunteer

Maurice Beesley is a construction site volunteer who wanted to do more than write a check to Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco. "Just giving money over the years no longer provided the kick that I had imagined philanthropy must offer the wealthy. It was nice, but I felt detached from the community of those who did the actual work," said Maurice.

Maurice brings years of professional experience to his volunteer work on the Habitat construction site. He remembers the first day he volunteered: "I was set to cutting the I-joists of the first floor, while others installed them. At one point we were about to set the main girder, which spanned the foundation at its widest point, on which the joists would be hung - arguably the largest and most important stick in the framing. It was a four by twelve engineered glu-lam beam. Ed Lehmer, Director of Construction, called over, "Cut that one at 289-1/2 inches," and turned back to what he was doing. Now, he didn't know me or my work. Suppose I cut it a foot, or an inch short? I would guess that the beam cost $100 a foot, or more. That's $2500! I measured very carefully, three times, asked him again, "What was that number?" And then I cut."

"The rest of this story is anti-climax: It did fit, though I was afraid to watch, and I was on my way as a Habitat volunteer. "

Maurice says his work on the Habitat construction site has been a positive experience. "I was surprised and pleased by the attitudes, intelligence and energy of the AmeriCorps. They didn't hang back from the heavy lifting and the high climbing. I've run crews most of my career, and some who are well paid to be there can't stay focused. Sarah, Lisa, Annie, Joseph and Lou clearly shared the pleasure of doing a good thing well for a good reason."