By Rachel Bryson
The Record Herald

Providing housing for low income families and helping those in need are some of the reasons Mark Story joined Habitat for Humanity.

Age: 38

Family: Jill (McKee) Story, wife; Moriah and Lydia, daughters; and Duke, a long-haired Chihuahua

Town: Greencastle (I grew up in rural Maine)

Occupation: Leadership in the nonprofit sector

Hobbies: Riding my dad’s antique motorcycle and anything related to firewood

What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat identifies home ownership solutions for low-income families in need. This is accomplished by using volunteers to construct or rehab homes in Franklin County that are sold at cost to qualified families and financed with a zero percent mortgage.

Explain your position as executive director for Franklin County. What is a normal day like?
I am directly responsible for our public relations, fundraising and board development. A normal week for me includes a couple speaking engagements, writing press releases and newsletter articles and also networking with community leaders. I’m constantly looking at properties for sale and directly soliciting for monetary and gift-in-kind donations.

Probably the most critical function I have is attending every single committee meeting associated with Habitat so that one person knows everything taking place within our organization. I probably sit in on 20-plus meetings per week.

What originally got you interested in Habitat for Humanity?
Jill and I served as missionaries in Tanzania and Kenya. Our hearts and minds are attuned to people in need. I recognized Habitat of Franklin County as the local expression on an international mission.

What is the most rewarding part about being a part of the organization?
I got a really nice vest with the Habitat logo on it ... just kidding My favorite part of all things “Habitat” is our house dedication ceremony. The house is finished, the family is ready to move in and scores of people from all walks of life come to help us dedicate the house and its occupants to God.

What is the most unique experience you have had as the executive director?
Watching our volunteers rehab the 1800s log cabin Chambersburg from start to finish. I took pictures and wrote articles about it, but our volunteers did all the work and they get all the credit.

Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
We have two rehab projects taking place in 2012, both in the borough of Chambersburg. When completed, these will take our total number of homes in Franklin County to 30.

Where can people find out more information on Habitat for Humanity?
Our web address is: www.yourlocalhabitat.com where people can learn about our program and our projects. Our physical address is 23 N. Third St. in Chambersburg for anyone who wants to come by for a visit.

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