So far, I’ve been to Sanford, Fla.; Winston-Salem and Raleigh, N.C.; and today greater Nashville for Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz. It’s been an amazing week seeing builders do what they do best. All while helping families in need of decent, affordable homes.

Now I’m at the airport waiting for a flight to Omaha, Neb., the last stop on our tour. While waiting, I had the chance to sit down and reflect on the week with Tom Gipson, a Raleigh-based builder who led the very first Home Builders Blitz, and his wife Pat before they headed back home.

As they headed to their gate, Tom said “Well, it’s just great seeing people around the country so excited about something like this–builders, subs, suppliers, and Habitat affiliates all working together to make something really happen.”

The program has built, renovated, or repaired nearly 1400 homes since Tom helped Habitat leaders develop the Home Builder Blitz, and the key thought in all of our minds is how do you scale it up? Instead of the roughly 200 homes this year, how do we get to where we are helping 400, 800, or even 1000 families? Tom’s answer was simple: Get more builders and more affiliates to sign up and take part.

“What is the take on it from the builders?” I asked. Tom gave that one some thought.

“The builders are grateful to have an opportunity to give something back to their communities. They also point out the economy is improving which makes doing the blitz easier for them, their subs, and suppliers. They were excited and would do it again.”

I asked how big it could get. Tom was unequivocal, “We can do a thousand a year.”

For us who work with Habitat for Humanity on the Home Builders Blitz team, that is a goal worth striving for.

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