Last week, we had the joy of welcoming a fantastic team from Keller Williams Realty in Chambersburg, PA to our Greencastle build site for a Habitat Workday Experience — and what a day it was!

With sleeves rolled up and hearts wide open, the Keller Williams crew brought energy, enthusiasm, and excellence to the job site. Their hands-on support directly advanced our current build, helping move us one step closer to providing safe, affordable housing for a local family.

This partnership is more than a one-day event — it’s a shining example of what happens when businesses invest in their communities through service. We are deeply grateful for Keller Williams’ commitment to making a difference where it matters most: right here at home.

To the Keller Williams team: thank you for your hard work, generosity, and spirit. You’re helping us build more than just houses—you’re helping build hope.

Want to get your team involved? Learn more about our Workday Experience here.

What happens when a longtime banker with a passion for community involvement joins the board of a nonprofit? A partnership that will impact lives for years to come. Meet Courtney Shauf, an office manager at F&M Trust. She has been employed at F&M Trust, a community bank in South Central Pennsylvania, for 12 years and has sought ways to impact her community for much longer. In 2022, Shauf participated in the Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County’s Women Build initiative, which focuses on empowering women to serve their communities. Shauf has been active in attending monthly planning meetings, organizing various logistics, and working on build sites ever since, and she was inspired to join the Franklin County Habitat board of directors that same year.

F&M Trust recently launched a program focused on financial literacy, which provides free financial resources. “As a local community bank, giving back is at the core of our mission,” Shauf said. FiQ, available for anyone looking for high-quality information in all financial areas, gives advice on topics such as budgeting, debt management, and first-time homebuying, which aligns perfectly with Habitat for Humanity’s mission. In addition to building affordable housing, Habitat emphasizes financial wellness that will promote confidence and strength in a new homebuyer’s journey. “By working together, we can empower future homeowners with the financial knowledge they need for long-term success,” said Shauf.

Habitat and F&M Trust have been working together for many years. F&M Trust has been the main sponsor of Habitat’s annual Foundations Breakfast for the previous three years and is familiar with Habitat’s missions and values. This partnership is the natural continuation of their prior collaboration. “We are proud to support such an important organization, and I’m excited to be a part of this next venture,” said Shauf.

This collaboration between Habitat and F&M Trust has produced “the Homebuyer Essentials program.” It was designed to encourage financial literacy for Habitat families in the present and future. The core of this program is rooted in creating a partnership between new homeowners and a financial professional that will be a source of information and support. Through this relationship, Habitat partners will gain access to one-on-one sessions with their contact from F&M Trust, and these lessons will cover topics such as budgeting, debt management, and anything else they need to succeed in this new chapter of their lives. Habitat families will be equipped through this partnership between F&M Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County with a wealth of professional knowledge to maintain their homes and finances for life. 

This February has been particularly cold and windy. As an intern, I drive to the Habitat office in Franklin County once a month and feel the biting cold of the early morning while I wait for my car’s heater to fight the chill in the air.

I visited three Habitat home sites today: one rehab, one in-progress lot, and one unbuilt lot. Each lot is unique and will soon become a finished home for local families and individuals. My last stop on the tour was the in-progress lot. The home covers 1,200 square feet with an open-concept layout, three bedrooms and a clear view of the mountains. As I walked through, I imagined what it would look like in May after its dedication and in six months as the family prepares for the holiday season. I see a Christmas tree in one corner with toys scattered across the couch and floor. I see a birthday cake on the kitchen counter with plenty of balloons and cake for all. I see a crowd of kids running in and out of the front door during the summer, enjoying icy lemonade under the warm sun.

But for now, this home is empty. I hear the wind whistling past the house, unable to get past the new insulation. In a moment, I’ll have to step outside into the full force of the wind and drive back home. I’ll see my roommate, and we’ll drink tea, safe from the elements. But my mind will wander back to that almost-ready home, wondering where its family is as they wait for it to be completed.

Written by Joanna Story, Lancaster Bible College senior and HFHFC intern

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has a powerful new tool in its mission to build homes and hope, thanks to a generous donation from BWise Trailers and Brechbill Trailers. The two local businesses teamed up to provide a brand-new 12’ DT10 BWise Dump Trailer, solving a long-standing challenge at Habitat’s construction sites. Previously, Habitat relied on roll-off dumpsters for nonrecyclable debris, but those dumpsters often became filled by others overnight, causing delays and extra landfill fees. Now, the donated dump trailer offers a secure and efficient solution, allowing volunteers and homeowners to focus on what matters most—building safe, affordable housing.

Mark Story, Habitat’s Director of Advancement, expressed his gratitude: “Our volunteers and homeowners are the true beneficiaries of this generous gift. We are tremendously proud of the philanthropic spirit and community support offered by the Cumberland Valley.”

The trailer is already hard at work at Habitat’s 59th home under construction in Hamilton Township, showcasing how community partnerships can make a lasting impact.

This month I was honored to speak to nearly 800 elementary school students in Waynesboro about Habitat for Humanity and the difference it makes in our community. It was a truly rewarding experience to see young faces light up as they learned about the importance of safe, affordable housing – and how they, even at their age, can play a part in building a better world.

The students were curious and engaged and understood that we all live in community together and that we should seek ways to be kind and helpful. Opportunities like these remind me why Habitat’s mission is so powerful: it doesn’t just transform houses – it transforms lives and inspires people of all ages to come together for a common purpose. These students may not be swinging hammers just yet, but they’re learning about compassion, community, and the power of giving back. And who knows? Maybe a few future Habitat volunteers or even homeowners were sitting in that audience.

Mark Story, Director of Advancement