LUFKIN, TEXAS (September 21, 2026) — Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas is calling on committed volunteers to help raise the walls of the first new Habitat home in the Denman Heights Subdivision on Saturday, September 26. The event location will be held at 1516 Lilac Avenue in Lufkin with volunteer shifts throughout the day 8:00am – 5:00pm and a brief ceremony at 10:00am.

Volunteers are needed throughout the day to make this important construction milestone possible. Individuals, churches, businesses, civic organizations, construction professionals and community members are encouraged to sign up for two-hour shifts or longer to help frame and raise walls, install exterior sheathing and clean up the construction site. Experienced and inexperienced construction volunteers who are interested in helping build various components of the home are encouraged to participate.

The Wall Raising event will mark an important step in the construction of a new affordable home and will bring together volunteers and community supporters for a full day of hands-on construction, celebration and fellowship.

“This is one of those moments when you can actually see a community coming together to build something that will last,” said Melissa Wheeler, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas. “From the volunteers swinging hammers to the people who decorated Stud-A-Thon studs with messages of encouragement, every contribution has a place in this home.”

Construction activities will take place throughout the day, with volunteer opportunities available in morning and afternoon shifts.

Saturday, September 26 Schedule

8:00–10:00 a.m. — Exterior Wall Framing & Raising
Volunteers will work together to frame and raise the home’s exterior walls.

10:00–10:30 a.m. — Wall Raising Ceremony
The construction team will pause to celebrate the milestone, share a few words about the project and introduce the future Habitat homeowner.

10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Interior Wall Framing & Raising
Volunteers will continue framing and raising the home’s interior walls—including walls containing the special Stud-A-Thon studs.

12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch Break
Lunch will be provided for volunteers who participate for four or more hours.

1:00–3:00 p.m. — Sheathing & Cleanup
Volunteers will install exterior wall sheathing and assist with construction-site cleanup.

3:00–5:00 p.m. — Sheathing & Cleanup
The afternoon crew will continue sheathing and cleanup as the day’s work comes to a close.

Throughout the day, Habitat will provide bottled water, sports drinks, a light breakfast and snacks for volunteers.

The Wall Raising event will also bring the Habitat Stud-A-Thon to life.

Through the Stud-A-Thon, supporters purchased individual studs and had the opportunity to decorate them with scripture, inspirational messages, artwork, prayers and well wishes for the future homeowner.

Those decorated studs will be incorporated into the home’s interior walls during the Wall Raising.

As the interior walls go up between 10:30 a.m. and noon, Stud-A-Thon supporters and community members will have the opportunity to see these meaningful pieces of encouragement become a permanent part of the home.

The studs may eventually be covered by drywall and no longer visible, but the messages placed on them will remain inside the walls as a lasting reminder of the community that helped build the home.

The Stud-A-Thon also provides an opportunity for people who may not be able to participate in construction to have a tangible connection to the project and its future homeowner.

The Denman Heights development represents an important step forward for Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas as the organization works to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Angelina and Nacogdoches counties.

The Wall Raising is more than a construction milestone. It demonstrates what can happen when volunteers, donors, businesses, churches, community organizations and individuals contribute their time, resources and encouragement toward a common purpose.

Every wall raised brings the home—and the future homeowner—one step closer to a place to call home.

Media representatives and members of the public are invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. Wall Raising Ceremony. Community members interested in participating as construction volunteers are encouraged to register in advance.

Volunteer registration is found on the Habitat website at:
https://www.habitatdetx.org/wall-raising

Boilerplate

Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas is a non-profit organization that is seeking to put God’s love into action. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.  

Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas has envisioned a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our guiding principles are to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, focus on shelter, advocate for affordable housing, promote dignity and hope and support sustainable and transformative development. 

Cutline:

Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas volunteers work together to raise the walls of a previous Habitat home, demonstrating the power of community partnership and volunteer support in building safe, affordable homes for local families. Community members are asked to volunteer for the Wall Raising of the first new home in Denman Heights on Saturday, September 26. Sign up for volunteer shifts and help us raise the walls!