Jim Allbright, July 2008 Habitat Hero

Jim Allbright, Habitat's first-ever Habitat Hero, smiles for a picture with Erica Gorman, Habitat's volunteer coordinator, following his award presentation.

Jim Allbright has been recognized as our July Habitat Hero for being one of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis’ most dedicated volunteers. Jim lived in Memphis from 1983 to 1987, and then returned in 1990. He has been involved with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis since the 1990s in large part because of Germantown United Methodist Church (GUMC). GUMC has been a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, and Jim immediately got involved in the organization through his Sunday School class. He is motivated to volunteer his time with Habitat because it gives him an opportunity to serve others, to help find meaning in his life and to help develop his soul. It has become his personal and spiritual mission. Due to his involvement with Habitat, Jim has built a wonderful connection with the organization and never refers to it in the third person because he feels a sense of ownership and pride. 

Julie Romine, director of major gifts and grants, said, “Jim is an ‘unsung’ hero at Habitat. He has quietly served for over a decade. He has been a kind voice of reason during some very turbulent times of transition. He has helped us think through some tough decisions and helped formulate solid implementation plans…all with no glory, no credit – just the satisfaction he derives from helping.” 

Over the years, Jim has been involved with Habitat on many different levels.  In previous years, he has been a board member and board treasurer. Currently he serves as a member of the finance committee. He attends committee meetings and has been a build volunteer every year with GUMC. In addition to Jim’s many commitments, he has also become Habitat’s unofficial photographer. He can always be found wearing a camera around his neck, capturing every moment at the build site and at Habitat’s fundraiser events. Because of Jim’s dedication and passion for Habitat, his family members have also become supporters of the organization and have contributed their time at the build site.

Jim has been married to Betty for 35 years, and they have two children, a son and a daughter. Their son is in the Navy and is married with two children. Their daughter just graduated from college and is currently on the job hunt. Both of their children have volunteered during several builds. Jim’s favorite Habitat moment took place when his daughter joined him on the build site during Habitat’s third Collierville build.

Jim and his daughter had just finished painting, and Jim was washing out his paint brushes. While he was rinsing the brushes, his daughter came up behind him with paint-covered hands and placed them on the back of Jim’s Habitat t-shirt.  To this day, Jim still wears the t-shirt. It reminds him of the great time he shared with his daughter on a Habitat build site.

Habitat of Humanity of Greater Memphis salutes Jim for his many years of dedicated service to the organization. We are very grateful to have Jim as a volunteer, and we hope he continues to help us further the organization’s mission while also supporting his personal spiritual mission.

Thank you, Jim!