From Helmets to Hard Hats

For its second week of construction, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build project received two very special volunteers: Caitlin Cahow and Gigi Marvin, members of the U.S. women’s hockey team that took home silver at this year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The two Olympians happily swapped their sticks for saws as part of Team for Tomorrow, a humanitarian relief fund formed by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). Team for Tomorrow enables Olympic and Paralympic athletes to support and give back to those in need, both in their local communities and abroad. This year the USOC selected Habitat for Humanity as one of its core causes. As the Team for Tomorrow’s Athlete Ambassador for ice hockey, Caitlin couldn’t agree more with the choice.

“The physical aspect of Habitat for Humanity is very attractive to athletes,” notes Caitlin, adding that seasoned athletes are always searching for unique ways to cultivate new skills and refine their strength.

Not only are athletes eager to dive in and help, but also Habitat for Humanity receives a twofold benefit: The athletes’ physicality and self-confidence makes them productive volunteers, while their teamwork attitude translates well on construction sites.

Caitlin is no stranger to building houses with Habitat. While growing up in Maine, she and her parents were active Habitat volunteers, and during high school and college (at Harvard University) she participated in many Collegiate Challenge trips.

For the past two years Caitlin has been living in Minneapolis, playing for the Minnesota Whitecaps and training for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As an ambassador for the 2010 Team for Tomorrow, she sought ways to engage herself and her teammates in the local Habitat community.

Once Caitlin discovered that Twin Cities Habitat hosts its own Women Build, she couldn’t wait to dive in and help. She enlisted fellow Olympic teammate and friend Gigi Marvin, who was equally excited to help out.

From tearing up concrete in the basement to reframing the upstairs ceilings, Caitlin and Gigi put their strength to good use on a variety of construction projects. Both women had a blast learning construction skills like cutting lead pipe and operating a hydraulic lift to raise the main floor.

The volunteers enjoyed having Caitlin and Gigi on site and said their presence felt very natural and fun. “They were both really nice and friendly. Caitlin was pretty chatty and funny, and Gigi was a demolition machine!” jokes one Women Build volunteer.

As a hockey player who is accustomed to working out alongside other ambitious and athletic women, Caitlin found it particularly rewarding to see a such a diverse group of women all together, harnessing their strength and sweat for a good cause: “I really enjoy seeing women pitch in and take charge, working together and empowering one another through physical activity.”

Contributed by Rachel Anderson