Giving Back, Together: Volunteer Service is a Family Affair

For Lolo Pendergrast, a retired teacher from Charlotte, North Carolina, Thanksgiving marks nearly two decades of giving back to communities in need through volunteer work with SBP. Her journey began after Hurricane Katrina and has become a personal tradition of service, skill-building, and purpose.

In the fall of 2005, like many people across the country, Lolo watched in disbelief as Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Having spent her college years nearby in Mobile, Alabama, and having made countless visits to New Orleans, she felt a personal connection to the city.

“I was pretty torn up because I had friends there who had to move away,” she recalls. “I was devastated by the amount of destruction and the lack of help for the people.”

Determined to help, Lolo made her first trip during Thanksgiving weekend to assist with cleanup efforts. She returned the following summer seeking a more organized volunteer experience. That’s when she discovered SBP.

“SBP’s process was unlike any other,” Lolo says. “From the moment I arrived, I felt like my time was respected, and my efforts were making an impact. I knew I’d found my place.”

A Family Affair

Over the years, Lolo’s commitment to SBP grew, often extending to her family. Her son Alan joined her on trips during high school and college, learning skills like precision carpentry along the way. “He became the go-to person for cutting materials,” she says with pride.

Her husband and daughter have also embraced volunteering, working with another organization in their hometown of Charlotte. Volunteer service is a family affair, and it all started with the lemonade stand the children set up for Hurricane Katrina victims many years ago.

For Lolo, the most touching moments often come from meeting other families who volunteer. One story stands out: a couple who volunteered annually in memory of their teenage son. “Their dedication was so moving,” she says. “It was a beautiful way to honor their child and make a difference for others.”

The Joy of Giving Back

More than 35,000 volunteers have dedicated over 600,000 hours of service to SBP in New Orleans alone, helping rebuild 738 homes. Among them is Lolo, whose commitment to her work with SBP spans 17 years. Volunteering an average of eight hours a day for five days each year, Lolo has contributed over 680 hours of her time, making an impact on at least 20 homes.

Lolo’s volunteering has taken her far beyond New Orleans, from rebuilding homes in Panama City, Florida, with SBP after Hurricane Michael to using a nail gun in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Despite her years of experience, she sometimes encounters curious looks because of her age.

“People see my white hair and think, ‘Oh gosh, is this going to be ok?’,” she laughs. “But I’ve been doing this for so long that I can hold my own with the circular saw or a nail gun.”

Her favorite projects are those where she can see tangible progress, like completing roof sheathing in a single week. “It’s so satisfying to know that my work directly helps someone get back home,” she says.

A Lifelong Commitment

Now retired, Lolo dedicates even more time to volunteering, often returning to SBP projects during the hot summer months when the need is greatest. Her motivation? A deep sense of purpose.

“Volunteering isn’t just something to do to stay busy,” she explains. “You need a reason, a purpose. I always feel gratified that everything I’ve done has worked towards getting somebody in their home.”