In Anniston, Alabama, and LaGrange and Valdosta, Georgia, from June 6 to 13, 2003, more than 75 vinyl siding industry volunteers joined forces to help train Habitat volunteers on the proper installation techniques for the vinyl siding their companies donated. Fierce competitors within the industry dropped their guards and picked up hammers to finish the homes on time.

“I really enjoyed working side-by-side with one of my normal competitors–this week we all worked as one,” said Jim Ziminski, President of Crane Performing Siding.

In 2003, VSI members contributed more than 185,000 square feet of vinyl siding to the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP), all of which was certified for quality through a program sponsored by VSI.

With high quality vinyl siding on the houses, VSI wanted to make sure the product was installed correctly. The organization created a volunteer training program and donned t-shirts with the slogan “Ask Me About Certified Vinyl Siding!^TM” to teach volunteers on every home the proper installation techniques.

“Coming from a background in construction and building inspection, it was very satisfying to work with those with little experience, those experienced in the trades, and the future homeowners, who all came together to create these homes in a little over four days,” said Larry Brown, CBO, International Code Council and a VSI volunteer.

During one home dedication, the father of the family was so overwhelmed with gratitude, he invited the volunteers back. “There is no way I can ever thank you enough for all that you have done for my family this week,” he said. “All I can offer is that if your travels ever bring you to Valdosta, our door is open…and, for the first time in our lives, it’s our door.”