By Gillian Heckert-Mitchell, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity volunteering does not always require swinging a hammer, moving furniture, or painting a home. Often a volunteer can contribute much more beyond their physical labor. This month’s volunteer spotlight shows a great example of someone who has become a valuable asset to Habitat MontDelco, not only for her hard work on the worksite, but for the way she contributes her professional skill sets to better prepare our future homeowners for a successful financial life.
Darla is the founder of Heartwork Organizing, an organization committed to helping people declutter, save money and improve their rooms, offices, refrigerators, pictures and financial papers. As a professional organizer, like those organizing or redesigning shows on HGTV, Darla has a passion for created spaces that feel more like a home.
Darla has been a lifelong volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in New Jersey. When she settled in Delaware County, PA, she continued volunteering on the worksite with Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County. After a board member reached out to her about sharing her professional skill and talent of organizing at an Almost Home class, she began volunteering with Habitat MontDelco in a new capacity. “I had done the hands-on work, the electric, the swinging the hammer, building cabinets, etc., but now I got to go behind the curtain, and I figured out how what I do aligns so closely with what Habitat does” says Darla. Darla now participates in Almost Home classes, holding one-hour classes about organizing financial papers to help individuals and families know when to pay their bills and how they can start saving money. Darla helps individuals have a better home through organization so individuals, clients and community members can have better mental health, are more productive and they can be their best personal and professional self.
“I am a business owner, a Mom and a community member. I want people to understand that there are many ways to connect [to Habitat MontDelco], you don’t have to have much time. You don’t have to do a lot or have one million philanthropy hours to make a difference. I have partnered with Habitat MontDelco, myself and with my business and we both get a lot out of it.”
She wants people to know that volunteers do not have to stretch themselves to participate with Habitat MontDelco, individuals can give their talent/expertise, time, money or utilize the ReStore through their organization to get a lot out of Habitat MontDelco.
If you want to learn more about Darla DeMorrow, how she stays involved in Habitat or how to organize your space, visit her website, give her a call, and read her best-selling book “Organizing Your Home with Sort and Succeed.”
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