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Have you been spending more time lately reflecting on what is important? We are in that window of time when one year is wrapping up, and a new one is beginning; a time when many of us pause to reflect on our goals and our gratitude. Because of this, it’s also a time of year that many of us start to think about some additional ways we can give back to our community through volunteer opportunities! End-of-Year Giving As the holidays approach, many of us struggle to find the perfect gift. Instead of purchasing another item that may be forgotten, have you considered giving the gift of time? Volunteering on behalf of a loved one at an organization they care about is a meaningful tribute. It lets them know you honor their values and want to embody the same spirit of generosity you admire so much. What could be more meaningful than that?
The Volunteer Center of Brown County makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities in the area by matching people with opportunities that fit their interests and schedules. You could spend a few hours helping out at a food pantry, mentoring a young person, or assisting seniors. Each act of service becomes a gift that ripples beyond the moment. After the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday offers us something a little bit different: a chance to pause, reflect, and think about how we want to give back to our local communities.
The idea is simple but powerful. Instead of focusing on what we can buy, Giving Tuesday asks us to think about what we can give. It’s a time when ordinary acts add up to extraordinary change. People volunteer at shelters, organize food drives, stock community fridges, support mutual aid funds, and share messages of hope and solidarity.
If you want to take part, there are countless ways to do so! Here are just a few ideas: As we move into the final months of the year, many retirees are taking a closer look at their finances, particularly their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). If you are age 73 or older and have funds in an eligible IRA (Traditional, Rollover, or Inherited), the IRS requires you to withdraw a certain percentage from your tax-deferred retirement accounts each year.
While many people rely on these withdrawals for living expenses, others find they don’t necessarily need the income. The catch? These distributions are subject to income tax. For those in higher tax brackets, the required withdrawals can create a significant tax burden. But there’s good news. The IRS offers a unique option for charitable-minded retirees: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution? If you’re age 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to a qualified charity without paying any income tax on the gift. The distribution must be made directly from your IRA to an eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with a maximum annual limit of $108,000 per individual and $216,000 for married couples filing jointly. Every house tells a story. Every neighborhood carries generations of memories, laughter, and connection. At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that when we strengthen homes, we strengthen communities, and that’s exactly what Rock the Block is all about. Rock the Block is a community revitalization program where volunteers, homeowners, and partners come together to complete exterior repair, maintenance, and beautification upgrades in a specific neighborhood. From porch repairs to accessibility updates and yard cleanups, these efforts create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods where families can continue to thrive. But Rock the Block isn’t just about paint, nails, or new landscaping. It’s about people. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, families finding renewed pride in their homes, and communities coming together to work toward a common goal.  Britney’s Story: Home is Where Her Roots Are For Britney, homeownership came at a young age. At just 23, she purchased her home on Columbia Avenue and she considered it her first big step into adulthood. That home became the setting for countless milestones and it’s where she’s built a life as a single mom. “This house holds so many memories,” Britney shared. “It’s where I brought both my boys home. It’s small, but it’s ours.” Her ties to the neighborhood run deep. Britney was raised by a single mom who lives on Park Street, and her grandma lived just across the street before she passed. Needless to say, there are great memories for Britney on nearly every block. She loves the way her neighborhood feels like a family, still. “We’re nosy in the best way,” Britney laughed. “Neighbors are always watching out, lending a hand, and handing out popsicles to the kids. It means a lot to me.” Britney applied to the Rock the Block program with and mentioned that there were some yard and porch updates on her wish list. First, she wanted help clearing out some old pavers and a broken flag pole because they get in the way of football and baseball practices with her boys (she coaches both and loves bonding with her kiddos in this way). In addition to some yard upgrades, her dream is to have a porch that’s safe enough to use. She really enjoys sitting outside, especially when a storm is rolling in. We will be working alongside a licensed contractor to take down her current porch and build a new one that is large enough and safe enough for her to sit with her kids whenever she wants. For Britney, it’s not just about fixing up her house. It’s about ensuring her boys grow up with the same sense of belonging and stability she once felt in this same neighborhood. Catherine’s Story: A Fresh Start in Green Bay When Catherine bought her home on Gray Street, it was a fresh start. After relocating from Chicago, she fell in love with Green Bay’s energy, its people, and of course, the irresistible energy of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field. She was thrilled to find a home that was close enough to experience that energy on home game days. Since she is a veteran, Catherine was able to use her VA benefits to purchase the home, just as her three children moved back in with her during the pandemic. “I finally felt like I belonged,” she said. “This city has become such a part of my life. I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else.” But the joy of homeownership came with a few unexpected challenges (as it often does). Hidden issues like a deteriorating porch and broken stairs made her home feel unsafe and overwhelming to maintain, especially as she was recovering from two hip replacement surgeries. “The porch felt impossible,” Catherine admitted. “It wasn’t something I could do on my own — not financially and not physically.” Through Rock the Block, her porch is being rebuilt, which will give her peace of mind. “Now I can walk outside without worrying that a board might give out, and I feel safe letting others use it too.” Along with our amazing volunteers, we will also be removing a non-functional hot tub that takes up a lot of space in her backyard. Once it’s gone, she and her children will be able to reclaim the space and add a garden that they can nurture together.  The Lasting Impact of Rock the Block
At Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, we believe lasting change happens when people come together. Rock the Block is a neighborhood revitalization event, but it’s also proof of the power of partnership. When businesses, community groups, and neighbors unite around a shared purpose, incredible things can happen. For homeowners like Britney and Catherine, Rock the Block brings peace of mind, stability, and the comfort of knowing they don’t have to face challenges alone. Even small updates like safer porches, open yards for kids to play, and restful spaces that bring families together. And when volunteers and neighbors roll up their sleeves side by side, they don’t just improve homes — they strengthen the entire community. How much do you really know about us? We wanted to answer some of the questions we hear most about the work we do at Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. We hope it helps give you a better understanding about our mission and our impact in the community! Are Habitat for Humanity houses free?No, we do not give away houses for free. Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity builds new construction homes in Brown County and sells them to individuals at a 0% interest mortgage. We are able to keep homes affordable by utilizing volunteer labor and because of partnerships and generous donations from local contractors and suppliers. How does someone qualify to be a home buyer? Individuals and families who are in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership. Their ability to repay an affordable mortgage, as well as their level of housing need and willingness to partner with us, are among the selection criteria for becoming a future homeowner. Future homeowners receive financial education and spend several hundred hours working alongside our volunteers on the build site. This “sweat equity” can take the form of building their own home, other Habitat homes, attending workshops, classes, volunteering at fundraisers or events, and providing assistance in the ReStore. Learn more about what it takes to become a Habitat homeowner. Did Jimmy Carter really start Habitat for Humanity?President and Mrs. Carter are undoubtedly Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers. They worked tirelessly to help families build houses and raise awareness for more than 35 years. However, they were not the ones who started the organization. Habitat for Humanity was actually founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. Habitat for Humanity began at Koinonia Farm in Georgia, which was started by Clarence Jordan. In the early 1970s, Jordan partnered with the Fullers to create “partnership housing.” This is where people in need helped build their own homes alongside volunteers. The homes were sold at no profit, and money came from no-interest loans, house payments, and donations. In 1973, the Fullers tested the idea in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and after three successful years, they returned to the United States and started Habitat for Humanity.  Does Habitat for Humanity also update existing houses?Habitat is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has a decent place to live. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accomplish that mission. Most of the work we do is centered around building new construction homes. But, we also work alongside homeowners within Brown County, Wisconsin to rehabilitate and preserve existing homes in need of repair. Our Rock the Block program focuses on exterior home repairs, maintenance, and landscaping needs. You can learn more about that program here! How does the Habitat for Humanity ReStore work?The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore is such an important extension of our work. In case you’re not familiar with it, the ReStore is a home improvement store that sells donated and new items to the public. Here, you can purchase furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and SO many other items. Proceeds from the ReStore directly support the work we do on the build sites. In fact, they sponsored three homes on Habitat Homestead. You can learn more about the ReStore here, or feel free to just stop in and browse! Do I have to have construction skills to volunteer?We welcome people with any skill level to volunteer with us on the build site, even beginners. Our construction team will train volunteers in all aspects of building. However, you do have to be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site. If construction work isn’t something you feel called to do, that’s totally okay! You can volunteer in a variety of other ways, from becoming an advocate to helping out in our ReStore. Click here to learn about all of the ways you can volunteer to support our work.  Do you need donations right now?Yes, we need donations in order to advance our work, and we appreciate any financial support we receive. Your generous contributions empower future homeowners to cultivate strength, stability, and independence. By supporting us financially, you're helping families lay the foundation for a brighter future. You can learn more about donating here.
Thanks to the support of people like you, we are able to help dozens of people in our community each year build or improve a place to call home. It will take all of us doing whatever we can to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live! |
Green Bay ReStore
920-338-1650 [email protected] 1967 Allouez Avenue Green Bay, WI 54311 Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday | Closed |
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity
920-593-3921 [email protected] 1967 Allouez Avenue Green Bay, WI 54311 Please enter through the front office door. Office Hours: Monday- Thursday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
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Non-Proselytizing Policy
Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations (HFH) will not proselytize nor will HFH work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFH. This means that HFH will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must (i) adhere to or convert to a particular faith or (ii) listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. |