First Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Visits Bend

It starts with just one person giving up his time.

“I am known as the first volunteer of Habitat for Humanity International,? Clive Rainey said Thursday in Bend.

About 35 years ago, he was teaching in a small community in Georgia. None of the kids in his class could read or write their own names.

“One day, a little girl said to me, Why do we have to learn this old stuff anyway?’ And I said, ”Cause if you get an education, you’ll have a better life.’ And she said, ‘That’s what they told my mama.'”

Inspired to make a difference, he went to the girl’s house that night.

“Found them living in a house that had no doors, no windows, no running water, no electricity — and no hope,? Rainey recalled.

Millard Fuller was just starting Habitat for Humanity. Clive knew fuller Personally, so he decided to volunteer.

Since then, the organization has built more than 500,000 houses in more than 100 countries, for people like Amber Schmeid of Bend.

“I didn’t think for a long time that I’d actually be able to afford our own home,? Schmied said. She and her daughter Kassidie will move into Bend Area Habitat for Humanity?s 100th house this summer.

“It means so much to us, to be able to have this,? said Schmied.

It’s stories like Amber’s that kept Rainey working for Habitat for 35 years. He retired two years ago, and says it’s wonderful, but that there’s no great honor in being the first volunteer.

“The great honor is going to be the last volunteer. The person who nails the last house, in the last house needed to make sure everybody on Earth has a decent place to live,” said Rainey.