Cory Liebgott: Chicago Build Day with Docusign

 

 

Cory Liebgott is the Senior Product Manager at DocuSign and joined us for our Chicago Build Day with on August 26, 2016. We asked her to share her experience as a first-time volunteer at a Build Day and here is what she said about her time giving back...

 

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As a first-time participant in the Chicago Build Day, I didn’t know what to expect. I heard it could be grueling physical work coupled with a wonderful feeling of fulfillment, and I thought, sign me up! I love to take on challenges that push my limits, and I am also passionate about helping others, so this was a perfect opportunity.

A group of us from DocuSign, Giveback Homes, and Related Realty arrived bright and early on the build site in Chicago. It was a beautiful, clear morning and we were all anxious to roll up our sleeves and get to work. 

I was assigned to the landscape crew for the morning, and we focused on cleaning up and levelling the yard for one of the homes that was nearly done. This included removing any construction debris and rocks, while also breaking up the dirt so it could be moved around and raked out by hand. By lunchtime we were able to admire a smooth, level, clean yard ready for the load of topsoil. Other crews worked on building a fence, framing one of the newer homes, and hanging drywall. 

For the afternoon, we helped the framing crew by moving and organizing all the loose wood around the site, so the boards they needed were organized by size and were more easily accessible from where they were working. We wrapped up the afternoon by helping clean up all the homes at the site; putting tools away, organizing things, and securing the site for the weekend.

As the day marched on, the sun got hotter and our bodies started to ache. Most of us are accustomed to the luxury of working (and sitting!) in air-conditioned offices, so we were able to experience a very different type of work environment. First and foremost, I gained an even greater appreciation than I already had for all the people that work in less than ideal conditions every day. Be it extreme weather or other challenging circumstances, it amazes me how resilient people can be to get their work done. And on top of that, to be able to physically push your body each and every day in those conditions is simply amazing!

The other thing that resonated with me was the real reason behind what we were doing. We were helping people get into homes who otherwise may not have been able to. Homes that would provide shelter, stability, and many years of wonderful memories. Having your own home is such an incredible and empowering thing.

 

To be able to lend a day of labor and push through any discomfort, and to know what the end result of that labor would be, was so incredibly humbling and satisfying.

 

 

Habitat for Humanity and Giveback Homes did a wonderful job organizing everything, coaching us through our work, and keeping us informed and energized throughout the day. It was truly an amazing and memorable experience! 

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Check out the press from this build day from Chicago Agent Magazine and ReJournals here!

To make a donation towards the next Chicago Build day, click here. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. To join the Giveback Homes movement click here.