By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
After more than two years of hard work and dedication, Riderwood community members and staff who volunteer with Habitat for Humanity are close to completing 24 back-to- back, three-level, three-bedroom townhouses known as Linganore Woods. The community is located less than ten miles from Riderwood.
Integral to the success of this project is the skilled craftsmanship of Riderwood’s team of cabinet makers led by community member Bill Johnston. During his years volunteering in Americus, Ga., Johnston discovered that producing handmade cabinets versus purchasing similar cabinets saved Habitat for Humanity thousands of dollars. Since moving to Riderwood, Johnston and his team of quality craftsmen pass that savings on to the local Washington, D.C. Habitat affiliates.
“The cost of a typical commercial kitchen includes substantial labor costs,” says Johnston. “However, since we only use volunteers to produce the cabinets, we estimate a minimum savings of $1,000 per kitchen.”
Making dreams come true
Before moving to Riderwood, Bill Johnston and his wife, Marian, decided to volunteer ten weeks a year at Habitat for Humanity’s headquarters in Americus, Ga. During his hours of service, Johnston learned to build kitchen cabinets for the Habitat homes.
Upon returning to his local Habitat affiliate in Chester County, Pa., he organized and operated a Habitat for Humanity cabinet building shop for nine years. During that time, Johnston and 15 other volunteers produced cabinets for 85 houses, saving the humanitarian organization thousands of dollars.
“When I was considering moving to Riderwood I asked if some sort of arrangement to work with Habitat would be encouraged,” says Johnston. “I was told that it would be looked upon with favor. I brought the parts for two cabinets with me when I arrived at Riderwood and started assembling them in the on-site wood shop.