Neil Arnold, April 2010 Habitat Hero

Neil Arnold attends the dedication of the home sponsored by
Germantown United Methodist Church in Spring 2008.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Neil Arnold

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? 40-plus years. I grew up in Jackson, Tennessee. I attended Rhodes College and graduated in 1969 and have lived in Memphis since then.

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? I began volunteer work with Habitat in 2001.

3. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? Actually, my wife Nancy got us both involved. When we both retired, we had time available for community activities. Nancy searched for non-profits where we thought our talents and experience could be used to benefit the non-profit. I am a CPA and Habitat's accountant needed some help at that time. Therefore, Habitat appeared to be a good fit and we began helping in the office.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? I've spent most of my time helping with accounting activities. I've helped in almost every department in the office preparing mailings, organizing files and helping in the Restore. I've also worked at the build sites for several houses sponsored by Germantown United Methodist Church.

5. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? I believe in Habitat's mission of helping people help themselves. Habitat is not giving handouts to people. Instead, we are helping people who are less fortunate than us break the cycle of poverty by giving them an opportunity for homeownership, which results in improved health, better education for their children and safer living conditions.

6. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? My favorite Habitat moments are the house dedications when we can see how happy the new homeowners are to receive their house, and also when they return some time later to share their success stories with us.

7. Do you have any personal details you would like to add (where you work, what do you like to do on your free time, etc.)? I've been very fortunate and I'm very thankful that I have the time and resources to be able to work with the Habitat organization. My work with Habitat has been personally rewarding for me, and I hope it has had some positive impact for the organization.