Builders Care to help unemployed volunteers

Since 2005, construction volunteers have helped the Lee Building Industry Association Builders Care program provide free home repair services to economically disadvantaged residents in Lee County. Builders Care relies heavily on these volunteers to provide everything from project management to hands on construction to help build wheelchair ramps, install doors, paint and much more. Now, Builders Care is trying to return the favor to its cherished volunteers with a new program designed to help them.

With the downturn of the economy, especially the hard-hit local construction industry, many building professionals find themselves unemployed and struggling to find new employment. At the same time, prospective employers are leery of posting job openings for fear of the overwhelming response they will receive.

Builders Care has launched a new program, "Hire a Volunteer," in an effort to promote construction volunteers who have so generously given their time and expertise to help those less fortunate in Lee County. This program is designed to help these valued volunteers promote themselves to local businesses that may have openings and are looking for qualified individuals within the construction industry.

"We are so very grateful to these individuals for giving their time to help others in need through Builders Care," said Heidi Davis, Builders Care executive director. "Even in times of personal struggle these volunteers have donated their time and services to help people in greater need. We want prospective employers to know what these individuals have been doing while continuing to look for employment."

To hire a volunteer, visit the Builders Care Web site at www.leebuilderscare. org/HireaVolunteer.htm to view qualifications and photos.

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and

economically

disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Most recent top corporate sponsors include Armadillo Underground and Real Estate Investment Society.

Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers FL 33916. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org or to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank. More information is available at 938-0056.