Volunteers and staff of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh painted houses, worked on the interior of the houses and braved the cold on Monday, January 15 as part of the annual Habitat’s Day of Service. The Day of Service also celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with Monday also being his birthday.

Projects for volunteers, both new and old, included the weatherization and painting of 511South Street, painting of 114 and 116 William Street and painting of the Newburgh ReStore. Volunteers took their brushes to the walls and helped paint while others helped with drilling and other interior building work.

“Everybody comes out with a lot of enthusiasm, ready to work, ready to support our mission and what we’re doing here. I grew up in this neighborhood so I have personally seen the transformation that has been happening in Newburgh,” said Jason Rivera. “We’re creating a legacy from the work that we do here in Newburgh.”

“I feel that doing this work on this day, especially in this neighborhood, is imperative to uplifting the spirit of Newburgh for the residents here,” said Bradley J. Augustin Sr. “If we’re not part of the solution, then we’re part of the problem.”

Other volunteer activities included the annual Love Your Block Community Project and the MLK Day of Service Kid’s Project. Children were invited to the Habitat Newburgh offices to build and paint birdhouses with their parents supervising them.

For the past 10 years, Joan Danek has volunteered at various projects for Habitat Newburgh and what keeps her coming back are the friendships she has made along the way volunteering. “Everybody looks out for everybody,” she said. “We are a family, to the families that we work for.”

At the end of the work day, volunteers and other community members were invited to an MLK Day of Service Luncheon held at Calvary Presbyterian Church on South Street. Calvary Pastor Reverend J. Edward Lewis served as a guest speaker during the luncheon as he was active during the Dr. King movement and shared remarks to guests as the Day of Service concluded.