HICKORY, N.C. (July 2019) – At Shurtape Technologies, summer interns get the traditional internship experience – they work alongside teams to learn and grow in their fields of study, they build their skillsets by participating in meetings and getting hands-on with a variety of projects…and yes sometimes, they go out on coffee runs, too. But, this year, Shurtape’s interns also rolled up their sleeves and got their hands a little dirty in support of a good cause.
Eight interns and two corporate volunteers from Shurtape participated in a Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley build, helping to bring near the completion of a Market Ready Home for a deserving family in need. These simple and affordable homes are built with community stability and sustainability in mind, using construction standards that focus on water and energy efficiency, safety and health, and materials conservation.
During the build, the interns and volunteers split into two groups – one group spent the day working on landscaping by hauling and spreading gravel for drainage, while the other group picked up some paint brushes and spent the day painting the exterior of the home. In total, the volunteers donated 40 labor hours to this project.
“When people come out and volunteer, what they see is a day of construction, but what we see is the foundation for families to be able to build a stronger and more secure future,” said Jenna Ross, Community Outreach Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley. “Habitat really loves working with organizations like Shurtape because in addition to providing a service, they’re also investing in creating a community.”
“This project allowed our interns to further bond as a team, building relationships we hope will last throughout their educational journey and well into their careers,” said Whitney Walker, talent specialist and intern coordinator, Shurtape. “They worked hard, they had fun, and they developed not only a better understanding of what Habitat for Humanity is, but also how organizations like Shurtape can get involved and help fulfill the hopes and dreams of those in the communities in which we live and work.”
Check Out Their Volunteer Experience: