Tom Faller, June 2009 Habitat Hero

Former construction committee leader Tom Faller talks to construction administration manager Harold Walker on day one of the 2008 FedEx Build. In his more than 10 years as a Habitat volunteer, Faller has served Habitat both on and off the build site.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Tom Faller

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? Since 1995. I joined FedEx, moving from Southern California

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? Since 1998. I was the Habitat coordinator for our church at the time and our Habitat department coordinator at FedEx.

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? It started when FedEx Services decided to use their funds designated for the 25th anniversary celebration to sponsor a Habitat house in Binghampton.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? I participated initially as a basic worker, then a coordinator, as mentioned above. Following that, as a member of the Construction Committee, then as the Construction Committee chairman, then as a member of the board of directors and as a member of the family services committee, the president of the Board of Directors for two years. I'm now in my last year on the Board.

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? The mission of Habitat is simple and profound. We provide a hand up, not a hand out. We provide hope for those without the opportunities that we have had, and we do it with an open heart. Whether you are religious or not, Habitat's mission tugs at the heart. The Habitat people, both staff and volunteers, have that something extra of wanting to give back in a tangible way. The love we receive from our proud homeowners is worth so much more than the sweat and sore muscles we invest.

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? This one is my favorite, just because is shows how unusual this team of dedicate folks can be. Not long after I started volunteering at Habitat, I was on a build site, and I caught a glimpse of Julie Romine, Deputy Director at the time, standing next to a very large tractor used to clear the build sites. She was providing directions to the driver while carrying trash bags and going to refresh the bottled water in the cooler. My only association before then had been meeting Julie in the office in a much more formal setting. Her ability to go beyond her normal duties and take on anything that was needed to accomplish the mission just spoke so loudly to me. I knew at that moment that these folks were different in a very attractive and positive way. This impression has not changed in the more than 10 years that I have been associated with Habitat.

7. Do you have any personal details you would like to add?I have a wife and three children, and we'll be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on August 18th.

I've worked at FedEx for 14 years. When the opportunity for FedEx to get involved with Habitat in a significant ongoing way came up, I helped make it happen. Anyone can be the catalyst to bring donors and volunteers to the Habitat mission. You'd be amazed at how receptive most people are to helping others. I have said this many times......if I can be building houses with Habitat as long as Bob McIvor, aka Bob the Builder, who is in his late seventies, I'll be blessed man.