“I first got the bug through some veteran Habitat volunteers at my church,” said Jim Early. Inspired by them and Habitat site supervisor Charles Monroe, he’s made it a steady part of his life ever since. “It’s a mission I feel strongly about—selfishly, I’ve learned a lot of tangible skills myself. It’s a win-win for everybody involved.”

Early, a vice president with Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Servicing figures he’s worked on a dozen or so Habitat houses over the years. Through efforts with Wells Fargo colleague, Tim Ryan, he was instrumental in securing sponsorship of Habitat homes during each of the last two year’s Building on Faith drives. This year makes it a three-peat as Early, Ryan and their volunteer crew bring their hammers and enthusiasm to Charlotte’s Reid Park neighborhood.

But Jim Early is more than a Habitat volunteer, volunteer coordinator, and financial supporter; he’s an ambassador. “It’s nice to be able to educate others about Habitat—how it works, what it’s all about—to help clear up misconceptions,” he says. “Some people still think Habitat gives away houses. They don’t know about the sweat equity, the interest-free mortgage.” And they don’t know the feeling that follows a framing day. “I see that tangible production and realize, wow, we really did something today.”