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S P EC I A L S ECT I O N | SU N DAY, F E B RUA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6
HometownHeroes
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Offering A Helping Hand And Inspiration
They’re all around us, and yet they’re also rare, those good neighbors who lend a hand to others
without giving it a second thought. They deliver meals to shut-ins and help build houses. They
pick up litter and see to it that snow is cleared from an ailing neighbor’s driveway. Knitting
blankets for kids they’ve never met or leaping into action to save others in distress, they embody
generosity of spirit and inspire us all.
“It gives you satisfaction of accomplishing something, of building something for
someone who otherwise would have to go without.”
Enzo DeDominicis, on his work with Habitat for Humanity
JOHN WOIKE | JWOIKE@COURANT.COM
ENZO DEDOMINICIS of Farmington stays warm next to a propane heater while he cuts a stair tread for the back entrance of a home on Grand Street in Hartford. DeDominicis is
among a group of retired residents who have banded together as a work crew for Habitat for Humanity.
‘WEEKLY SAINTS’ BUILD
HARTFORD HOUSING
Dedicated Volunteers Work With Habitat For Humanity To Help People In Need
By VINNY VELLA are mostly retired men and women looking to keep porches, install siding. Some have more experience than
busy and lend a hand. They come from all walks of life, others, naturally, but even that’s not really an issue.
vvella@courant.com deli owners swinging hammers next to investment
bankers. “As an organization that relies on volunteers’ labor,
H ARTFORD — When Lou Basta was a we realize that some have skills and some have no
technical computer programmer, one of Habitat — a nonprofit that helps provide housing skills other than their willingness to work,” Shaw said.
his biggest frustrations was not meeting for people in need — never officially named the group,
“the end customer.” but they have adopted a nickname that feels Generally, they are quick learners. Shaw said one
“Sometimes, I’d ask myself, ‘Is what I’m doing appropriate: “the weekly saints.” newly minted saint couldn’t read a tape measure, but
important?’ ” he said as he stood in what will soon be weeks later he was hanging dry wall like a pro at the
the bathroom of a home in Hartford’s North End. “They have a significant commitment,” said Don same project site.
Shaw Jr., a member of the Hartford Habitat’s board.
Now, as he marks his 15th year in his “second career” “They’re the backbone of our organization.” Some become so adept that Habitat calls on them to
as a volunteer for the Hartford Area Habitat for be supervisors, people on whom they can rely to meet
Humanity, there’s no doubt in his mind. Like Shaw, the saints have been part of Habitat tight deadlines. More important, they develop a
since the early days, when they hunkered down in rapport with the homeowners, whom Habitat
“What makes this different is the sense of church basements for their meetings. Now, nearly 50 requires to put in some “sweat equity” before getting
accomplishment,” he said. “Here, I get to see the saints work at least once, and sometimes three times, a the keys.
person who’s going to enjoy the home I’m helping week at Habitat’s various sites around Greater
build.” Hartford. “Corporations may send groups of volunteers out a
few times each year, but it’s different people each
Basta, 64, is a member of a corps of volunteers on Just because their labor is free doesn’t mean the time,” Shaw said. “But when the saints come out and
whom the service organization has come to rely. They saints skimp on the work: They hang Sheetrock, build
SAINTS, W5
FEBRUARY 24, 2016 | 6–8 Special thanks to our Additional support from:
Founding Sponsor:
Blazing Quasars and
Blazing Trails:
A Journey of Discovery With support from:
An evening with Jedidah Isler, Ph.D. 250 Columbus Blvd. | Downtown Hartford, CT
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral
Fellow at Vanderbilt University TICKETS: $10 adults, $5 students, seniors & Science Center members
More Information: CTScienceCenter.org/wis
HometownHeroes
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Offering A Helping Hand And Inspiration
They’re all around us, and yet they’re also rare, those good neighbors who lend a hand to others
without giving it a second thought. They deliver meals to shut-ins and help build houses. They
pick up litter and see to it that snow is cleared from an ailing neighbor’s driveway. Knitting
blankets for kids they’ve never met or leaping into action to save others in distress, they embody
generosity of spirit and inspire us all.
“It gives you satisfaction of accomplishing something, of building something for
someone who otherwise would have to go without.”
Enzo DeDominicis, on his work with Habitat for Humanity
JOHN WOIKE | JWOIKE@COURANT.COM
ENZO DEDOMINICIS of Farmington stays warm next to a propane heater while he cuts a stair tread for the back entrance of a home on Grand Street in Hartford. DeDominicis is
among a group of retired residents who have banded together as a work crew for Habitat for Humanity.
‘WEEKLY SAINTS’ BUILD
HARTFORD HOUSING
Dedicated Volunteers Work With Habitat For Humanity To Help People In Need
By VINNY VELLA are mostly retired men and women looking to keep porches, install siding. Some have more experience than
busy and lend a hand. They come from all walks of life, others, naturally, but even that’s not really an issue.
vvella@courant.com deli owners swinging hammers next to investment
bankers. “As an organization that relies on volunteers’ labor,
H ARTFORD — When Lou Basta was a we realize that some have skills and some have no
technical computer programmer, one of Habitat — a nonprofit that helps provide housing skills other than their willingness to work,” Shaw said.
his biggest frustrations was not meeting for people in need — never officially named the group,
“the end customer.” but they have adopted a nickname that feels Generally, they are quick learners. Shaw said one
“Sometimes, I’d ask myself, ‘Is what I’m doing appropriate: “the weekly saints.” newly minted saint couldn’t read a tape measure, but
important?’ ” he said as he stood in what will soon be weeks later he was hanging dry wall like a pro at the
the bathroom of a home in Hartford’s North End. “They have a significant commitment,” said Don same project site.
Shaw Jr., a member of the Hartford Habitat’s board.
Now, as he marks his 15th year in his “second career” “They’re the backbone of our organization.” Some become so adept that Habitat calls on them to
as a volunteer for the Hartford Area Habitat for be supervisors, people on whom they can rely to meet
Humanity, there’s no doubt in his mind. Like Shaw, the saints have been part of Habitat tight deadlines. More important, they develop a
since the early days, when they hunkered down in rapport with the homeowners, whom Habitat
“What makes this different is the sense of church basements for their meetings. Now, nearly 50 requires to put in some “sweat equity” before getting
accomplishment,” he said. “Here, I get to see the saints work at least once, and sometimes three times, a the keys.
person who’s going to enjoy the home I’m helping week at Habitat’s various sites around Greater
build.” Hartford. “Corporations may send groups of volunteers out a
few times each year, but it’s different people each
Basta, 64, is a member of a corps of volunteers on Just because their labor is free doesn’t mean the time,” Shaw said. “But when the saints come out and
whom the service organization has come to rely. They saints skimp on the work: They hang Sheetrock, build
SAINTS, W5
FEBRUARY 24, 2016 | 6–8 Special thanks to our Additional support from:
Founding Sponsor:
Blazing Quasars and
Blazing Trails:
A Journey of Discovery With support from:
An evening with Jedidah Isler, Ph.D. 250 Columbus Blvd. | Downtown Hartford, CT
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral
Fellow at Vanderbilt University TICKETS: $10 adults, $5 students, seniors & Science Center members
More Information: CTScienceCenter.org/wis
