Stephanie Moreno, February 2010 Habitat Hero

Stephanie (center) and her daughter Karen enjoy a sunny day on the
build site with Dwayne Spencer, Habitat's executive director.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Stephanie Moreno

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? My family moved to Memphis in April 1999 from Grand Prairie, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? I began volunteering with Habitat on September 15, 2001. I had signed up through Pfizer when my co-worker Doug Warner asked if I'd volunteer. Who could have predicted only days before our scheduled day, the lives of every American would change. Jimmy's morning prayer that beautiful Saturday morning was so moving. I've been a volunteer every since.

3. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? I have had the pleasure of doing a lot of different activities. My first job was caulking eaves. I've hung siding, painted inside and outside, put up decking on the rafters to create the roof, laid shingles and laid sod. My latest task that I'm so passionate about is volunteering on the Quality Assurance (QUAT) team. We arrive at 6:30 a.m. on the build site to set up the registration tent, put out the coffee and snacks, sign in morning and afternoon volunteers, set up for lunch and be the first smiling face each volunteer sees when they arrive to help for the day.

4. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? Habitat is this tremendous organization where you get to actual measure your success immediately. You get to see the fruits of your labor and meet the family you are helping, usually working side-by-side with them to help them attain the American Dream...homeownership!

5. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? On two occasions, I have had the pleasure of presenting a new homeowner with the keys to their home. At the moment when they accept the keys from you, it is so powerful.  You know you have just taken a huge load off of a breadwinner, and they are going to have a safe place to raise their family.

6. Do you have any personal details you would like to add? I am an executive assistant for the Executive Leadership Team at Evergreen Packaging. My husband, Paul and I have three daughters: Stesha, Karen and Sarah. We attend Church of the Nativity Catholic Church in Bartlett. I have been so blessed in my life that I enjoy giving back to the community not only through Habitat, but I am also a volunteer with Girl Scouts, Lifeblood, Relay for Life, JDRF and IAAP. In my "spare" time, I love to scrapbook, travel, play bunco and am in our church's Gourmet Club. (My husband is the cook...I just love to eat!)