The 19-day volunteer team-builder continues as CarMax associates from various departments at the Home Office work with Habitat for Humanity and other community volunteers to construct a community in Richmond.

June 5th
The first day of the team-builder was June 5th.  You may remember that week clearly, as the thermometer reached record-breaking temperatures.  This did not stop the CarMax team from digging holes, building a back porch and stairs, and doing landscaping projects.  A group of women even became known as the CCC – CarMax Caulking Crew. 

The CarMax team on June 5th had the pleasure of spending the day with a future owner of one of the neighborhood houses.  She is a nursing assistant and proud mother of a 7 year-old son and 3 year-old daughter.  This family plans to move into their home by the end of summer. 

June 11th
The 15 CarMax associates that volunteered on June 11th fortunately had slightly cooler weather than the group a week before.  This group represented associates from the Quality Assurance, Service Payables, Benefits and Compensation, and Legal teams at the CarMax Home Office.

This work day involved a lot hammers and nails.  Some had better luck with their hammer than others.  Janet Bruington, Director of Benefits, said, “Our team task was to build three walls and get them upright by the end of the day.  We accomplished our goal through LOTS of hammering all day - occasionally hitting the actual nail (or maybe that was just me…)!”

This team had the thrill of seeing the walls they had been working on raised.  What a wonderful feeling seeing a basic foundation look more like a home in a matter of seconds.

June 20th
The Habitat build on June 20th was a bit out of the ordinary for the volunteers.  The twin daughters of Richmond Habitat’s Executive Director were celebrating their 16th birthday!  They invited friends and administrative staff from Midlothian High School to join the celebration at the up and coming neighborhood. 

In addition to building with the birthday girls, CarMax volunteers had the joy of working with a new homeowner.  This grateful lady was so excited about her new home that she had already completed her required volunteer hours, but returned to the neighborhood to help out with other homes. 

Despite a broken toe, Michael Berman, a CarMax Marketing representative, helped out with the various tasks assigned that day to the teams.  He said, “I’ve done some volunteer work before, but nothing compares to seeing first hand the amazement, the wonder, the expression of someone who is about to receive his/her first house.  These houses are made with care and love of volunteers – volunteers who may have a broken toe, volunteers that may not have an engineering degree, volunteers that have probably never framed a porch, and volunteers that took time out of their day to help someone own a home.”

The projects on June 20th included painting doors and door frames, caulking baseboards, and priming ceiling and walls. 

CarMax is so thrilled to be a part of this project, witnessing the boards, nails, and other materials coming together as houses that will soon become homes. More updates and photos to come! 

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