Last year, Habitat for Humanity International leaders selected neighborhoods in Benton Harbor and Detroit to host the group's signature Jimmy Carter Work Project, which took place June 19-24.

Wholly dependent on donated labor, the projects were a success in good part because of the time and effort put forth by scores of building trade union workers, who built houses in partnership with families in need.

"The answer to providing affordable housing in Michigan, and for that matter throughout the world, is not to abandon a community, but where possible to 'rebuild' a community," said President Carter. "I am incredibly pleased that Michigan has agreed to host the Jimmy Carter Work Project in 2005, and I hope this project will generate optimism in people and the rejuvenation of neighborhoods that have incredible potential to contribute positively to their communities."

The 22nd "JCWP" saw 24 houses built in Benton Harbor and another 31 in Detroit during the "blitz build."

Gary Gunberg, business manager of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters & HVAC Service Local 357, said about 50 pipe trades workers roughed in the plumbing on June 22 and 30-40 performed the finish work the next day. Because of sequencing on the jobs, the plumbers started early in the afternoon both days and worked well into the night.

"The homeowners were enthusiastic and grateful and helped out where they could," Gunberg said. "It was well worth it, and I'm sure we'll get involved in future efforts." Gunberg gave kudos to members Sterling Moore, Tom Willson and Ed Hiscock for their organizational efforts.

A nice report in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Herald Palladium also gave kudos to 157 IBEW electricians who gave their time to wire homes.

Terry Strunk, an IBEW member and field rep for the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, told the paper, "It's impressive. It's very impressive, even to professional construction workers, how quickly everything is going."

In Southeast Michigan, hundreds of union tradespeople from different crafts volunteered in Detroit and at numerous other sites. There are some 80 Habitat affiliates in Michigan.

Dave Ahrenberg, an out-of-work Local 98 plumber, worked 16-hour days for two weeks during the effort - and said he "somehow" managed to become one of the go-to guys on the project.

"I saw an ad in the paper for the Habitat effort and I thought I'd help out," he said. "Next think you know, Jed's a millionaire, and I'm working from 6 or 7 in the morning 'till 10 at night." The project was scheduled for completion June 24 - but there was plenty of work left the next week.

"I'm into it now, I can't leave," Ahrenberg said. "These are people with good hearts. I've met a lot of nice people here."

Another volunteer in Detroit was Clarence "Sonny" Kotch, a 5th-year IBEW Local 58 apprentice. "This is the first time I've ever volunteered for something like this," he said. "It's work, but it's not work."

Corporate contributions paid for materials, and people from all walks of life donated their time to build the homes. As part of the Habitat program, homeowners must donate their time to build other homes, too.

The Jimmy Carter Work Project is an annual, internationally recognized event in which the former U.S. president and his wife, Rosalynn, join Habitat volunteers to build simple, decent and affordable houses in partnership with people in need. Now in their 80s, the couple still pick tools and lend a hand on Habitat projects.

President Carter's longstanding relationship with Habitat for Humanity began in 1984 when he donated one day of his carpentry skills and manual labor at a work site in Americus, Ga., home to Habitat's international headquarters. Later that same year, the Carters led their first weeklong work project, renovating a six-story, 19-unit building in New York City.

He said Habitat for Humanity "brings hope to people and areas others have abandoned."

Local 98 plumber Dave Ahrenberg worked 16-hour days as part of the Detroit Habitat project. He's plumbing a bathroom along with daughter Nicole.