Volunteer Stephan Hamel wins Rebuild Upstate’s 2020 Golden Hammer Award

With more than 250 hours of volunteer work in 2020 alone, Rebuild Upstate recently awarded Stephan Hamel the Golden Hammer Award, the highest honor given to a volunteer.

Hamel began serving with Rebuild Upstate in 2019. In 2020, Hamel logged volunteer hours 2-3 days a week by serving as a Handyman Club member on sites, doing inventory on supplies and installing shelving for storage.

“He always has a mindset for improvement,” said Nick Kulick, Rebuild Upstate’s operations director. “He is always asking how can we do this better or that better, and then he is willing to do it and lead the charge.”

Rebuild Upstate helps low-income homeowners with home repairs and accessibility improvements to create safe, livable housing in existing homes and neighborhoods. Home repairs can range from small plumbing fixes to roof and floor replacements. Accessibility improvements range from installing grab bars and railings for vulnerable populations to building wheelchair ramps for those with disabilities.

“Finding Rebuild Upstate to volunteer for has been a blessing for me,” said Hamel. “I feel I have received way more than I have given, and I feel blessed for the opportunity to share my skills and love of building with a great group of people.”

About Rebuild Upstate

Rebuild Upstate serves low-income homeowners with repairs and accessibility improvements to create safe, livable housing in existing homes and neighborhoods in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties. Its team envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity in a safe home environment in order to maintain and foster strong, sustainable communities. Learn more at www.rebuildupstate.org.