George McGaha, Mike Heflin and Austin Simmons, August 2008 Habitat Heroes

Mike Heflin, George McGaha and Austin Simmons smile for a picture following the presentation of their Habitat Hero awards. Mike, George and Austin volunteered daily during the Summer 2008 Build. They were nominated unanimously by Habitat's construction staff.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Mike Heflin

Mike, a father of three, recently retired from First Tennessee. His hobbies are fly fishing and golf.

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? 32 years.

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? Only did one Saturday before this summer's build.

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? Following George and Austin.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? Only one build from start to finish, but I was fortunate to have been involved in everything except hanging doors (they don't let a rookie hang doors).

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? I want to give something back and also want to learn new skills (after 30 years behind a desk).

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? Not a moment but a feeling - I have been really impressed with the camaraderie among everyone.

Q & A with Habitat Hero George McGaha

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? I have lived in Germantown for six years after having retired from a lifetime of farming.

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? I began working at Habitat through Germantown Presbyterian Church when we moved to town.

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? Through Germantown Presbyterian Church.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer?
Since working with Habitat, I have, at one time or another, done some of everything there is to do.

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? I volunteer my time at Habitat because first of all, I feel very fortunate to be able to meet, work with and help out both the other people working on the houses and the folks the houses are being built for.

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? I suppose my favorite Habitat moment(s) would be each build when we have worked, sweated, fussed, joked, but finally completed our house, walking away from the finished home with the tremendous satisfaction you feel at that time. I also just like to work.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Austin Simmons

Austin and his wife, Phyl, have been married 41 years, and they have three grown children and two grandchildren. He was a pilot for Northwest Airlines for 31 years. He retired in January 2004.

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? I moved to Germantown in June of 1973 (35 years).

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? This is my fifth year.

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? Through Germantown Presbyterian Church.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer?
George McGaha and I coordinate the Habitat effort for Germantown Presbyterian Church.

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? It is an opportunity to give something back to the community, and I enjoy working with my hands.

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? Last fall I took my 7-year-old grandson with me to the dedication of the Northaven home that I had worked on. He got to see me present the keys to the homeowners. I think that it will mean a lot to him as he gets older.