Meet CORE Construction Volunteer: Isaac Brandt

Meet Isaac Brandt, a CORE volunteer with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's construction team. Isaac is one of the newest members of our CORE construction volunteers, and we are so glad that he volunteers with us! We recently caught up with Isaac to chat about his experience volunteering with our organization.

What year did you start volunteering with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
2024, I was lacking purpose on weekends and wanted to use the skillset I’ve worked hard to achieve to do something greater than myself. I have a friend who works for Waco Habitat in Texas named Jose, and his videos of the work they do was a large inspiration to show up.

What is your favorite memory with IVHFH? 
Sheeting the second-story floor of the Grouch house with an awesome group of med students. We got the entire level decked by the end of the day.

What drives you to continue to volunteer with IVHFH? 
The families and Habitat team. The field and office personnel make me feel like family. Seeing the families that will move into the house is the largest reason, the gratitude they express and willingness to learn is something that is rare in the trades.

If you could give advice to any new volunteers or individuals who are on the fence about volunteering, what would you tell them? 
Take the leap and show up! They have the tools and experience if you have none and will always be kind and constructive. It’s not a breakneck pace to make a dollar; it’s an educative experience and fun days outside swinging hammers or setting casework in a warm kitchen in the winter. 
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Is there anything else you would like to share? 
We couldn’t do what we do on the build sites without the ReStore volunteers and Habitat office team and board. We may drive the nails and raise the walls, but every member and volunteer that procures funding, applies for permits, manages the volunteer schedule, plans events; there is not one insignificant role, and it’s an organization I’m proud to do my part in to make the world around me a better place.

Thank you, Isaac, for all of your hard work and dedication to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity! We are so thankful for the countless hours you have dedicated to our organization, whether it is on the build site or being an advocate in the community as shown in the video below.