Long Islanders Volunteer With Habitat For Humanity During Holiday

Patchogue, NY — Some Long Islanders used their holiday break to travel or spend time with family. Michael Mandato, of Northport, decided to use the extra free time in his schedule to check off a bucket list item: volunteering with Suffolk's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, something he said he's wanted to do for a long time.

"To be able to swing a hammer on a job site and give back to those in need is a win-win," he told Patch. Mandato says "I’ve always loved carpentry and construction, everything from framing to finish carpentry. I always dreamt of building a house from the ground up." The time off from a corporate job during the holidays afforded him the chance to sign up with the nonprofit and work on a new home being built in Patchogue.

Caroljean D’Aquila, the External Relations Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, Inc. says that volunteerism typically declines in the winter months but that volunteer commitments can be as short as needed. "Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. We have walk-on volunteer opportunities on our construction sites."

Volunteers can sign up online and must sign liability waivers before beginning any work. Construction hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:45 am until 2:30 pm. The nonprofit is currently selecting a family for the Patchogue home and will be accepting new applications for home ownership beginning in February for the next property.

For Mandato, he hopes to continue on the job site into the new year.

"I didn’t realize I was walking into day one of the Patchogue house until I arrived that morning. My goal is to come back a couple times a month. I hope I can see this project through from start to finish."