Jackie Brotchner, October 2009 Habitat Hero

Jackie and Theresa Bobo's daughter, Zaliyah, take a tour of Zaliyah's
new bedroom before the home dedication ceremony.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Jackie Brotchner

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? I have lived in Memphis for almost 40 years.

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? I spent a day painting trim and doors last year for the Thrivent home but only began to actively volunteer with Habitat after my daughter graduated from high school this spring.

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? Peggy Krohn with the Lutheran District Office and a member of my church signed me up to work at last spring’s build.  She also suggested that I check the other ways to become involved with Habitat and encouraged me to follow through.  Her timing was perfect. First, I had to recover from my husband’s difficult illness and passing. Then, I had to be at home for my daughter.  Now, I am able to have a life of my own, and I began by volunteering with Habitat.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? I have found that volunteering for Habitat is addictive-one thing leads to another, and I cannot get enough of it. At first, I volunteered to work in the office by entering data from waivers into the computer. Then, I helped with registration at a luncheon at the Hilton.  When the computers were down, I did telephoning which led to my seeking donations for the Tool Box Bash which led to my joining the Tool Box Bash committee.  When the Thrivent Build began, I wanted to participate but not as physically as before so I joined the Quality Assurance Team. During the training to be a QUAT member, I found out about being a lead at VESTA and decided that I could do both. 

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? I volunteer with Habitat because I love it. I love all the people I have met, especially the Habitat staff. I love and believe passionately in Habitat for Humanity’s Mission Statement and Mission Principles of promoting partnerships with God and people everywhere and of promoting partnerships with Habitat homeowners.  I volunteer to free the Habitat staff from activities that I can easily do. I am so very thankful that I am able and have the time to contribute to Habitat.

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? My favorite time with Habitat lasted more than a moment since it was the day when the fall homes were dedicated on Pershing Street. For many Memphians, the greatest day of their lives is the day they graduate from high school. During my years teaching at Booker T. Washington High School, I have attended many graduations and seen many proud parents and family members but none could compare to what I witnessed last Saturday. Each homeowner had more family present than at any graduation I had ever attended.  The pride, joy, and thrill that they demonstrated were just wonderful. I will never forget Theresa Bobo’s daughter’s face after she ran into her very own bedroom and found it beautifully decorated just for her. I listened to Theresa describe to her children what chore each one would have to help keep their new home clean. The other homeowner introduced me to the minister of her church and then shared with me how Habitat had taught her to make better decisions in her life. Later, I was told that Theresa’s success in becoming a homeowner had so impressed other family members that they too wanted to be part of Habitat, and I could see how the lives of several generations of one family had been so positively impacted. I was so thankful that day and am still thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a Habitat volunteer.