Apr 4, 2008

At first glance, it seemed that the people sanding doors and painting walls at 2523 Pennlyn Drive were construction workers. Actually, they were legislative spouses.

And they were helping Volunteer Florida kick off its annual Florida Volunteer Month on Tuesday by working on a Habitat for Humanity home.

The seven women had paint on their hands and clothes and were coughing from sandpaper dust. But they were all smiles in their jeans and T-shirts.

“I’m excited,” said Katie Posey, wife of state Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge. “We (legislative spouses) like to get out and experience the community.”

They were working on the biggest house built by the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, said construction supervisor Bill Stone. The house, near Centerville and Fleischmann roads, has five bedrooms and two baths and will be home to a seven-person family starting next month.

Wendy Spencer, CEO of Volunteer Florida, said this experience lets the spouses “leave a bit of their handiwork in Tallahassee.”

Scott VanDeman, director of communications for the group, said, “They’re using their influence to set an example about the importance of volunteerism.”

Volunteer Florida grants funds to Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs and encourages volunteerism. VanDeman said the group will be urging Floridians to volunteer this month.

Starbucks Coffee will help by handing out material about volunteerism at its shops.

For more information, visit volunteerflorida.org.