On November 28th, with warm memories of Thanksgiving still fresh, eleven associates from The Grossman Cos. Inc., traded their pens and computers for shovels and hammers.
They were volunteering for a corporate Team Build Day on behalf of South Shore Habitat for Humanity, helping to bring a new home in Braintree closer to completion, installing doors, nailing siding, removing debris. The company has also provided financial support to the organization.
Vinnie Myles, volunteer coordinator for South Shore Habitat for Humanity said, "We are only successful because of the devotion of our volunteers and the generosity of local businesses."
The non-profit organization, which has built over 40 homes on the South Shore, has selected a deserving family with a worthy housing need who could never afford to buy a house on the conventional market. The house is located at 58 Glenrose Ave.
Hopeful homeowners must put in sweat equity as a form of 'down payment on their dream.' They must also be able to repay the mortgage that carries zero percent interest for 20 years. Money from habitat mortgages helps fund additional homes. In all, since 1976 Habitat for Humanity has built over 200,000 homes, providing shelter for over one million people in 100 countries.
Company president Louis Grossman who spent the day on the worksite, noted some irony in his participation: "I'm named for my great grandfather who laid the foundation for the family's building materials company in the early 20th century. My earliest memories are running around the lumber yard and visiting home sites."
Grossman commercial broker Frank O'Neill said, "It reminded me of the spirit of early America when the community gathered for a house-raising."
Anne Stone of the Accounting Team said, "I found it to be a great team-building day as well as being rewarding. We accomplished a lot, but there were lots of laughs, too. None of us should quit our day job."
Administrative and Accounting Team member Judy Larkin said, "It was cold, but the atmosphere was warm." 
Office manager Lois Nutley added, "I enjoyed learning to measure sheathing, then use a circular saw to cut it to size."
Theresa Rouleau of the Accounting Team said, "We worked hard, challenged ourselves trying new tasks, and accomplished a respectable amount of work given our lack of training."
Volunteer participants from Grossman included Grossman and associates Ted Arend, Nancy Jackson, Larkin, Lisa Johnson, Karen North, Nutley, O'Neill, Rouleau, Phil Sheridan and Stone.