Just Cause: Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org
How did your involvement with Habitat begin? “They approached Brandon Barash [ex-Johnny] and me and suggested the idea of doing a celebrity build with fans. Habitat is such an amazing organization; in cities all over the world, they are putting people in safe, affordable houses that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to obtain. Brandon and I were thrilled to help.”
Before your first build, were you nervous about the actual labor? “Absolutely! I never really thought of myself as particularly handy, and you never really know what you’re going to be called upon to do at one of the builds — painting, hammering, roofing. The first one we walked in like, ‘Am I even going to be able to do this?’ ”
The GH build has become an annual tradition. What are some of the standout moments you’ve shared on builds with your co-stars? “Kelly Sullivan [ex-Connie; ex-Sage, Y&R] and I demolished a bathroom with sledgehammers one day! Ryan Paevey [Nathan] and William deVry [Julian] took their shirts off on the roof, swinging their hammers, and all the fans were thrilled [laughs]. My castmates have been very generous with their time and their energy and been really willing to show up and get dirty, from Dom Zamprogna [Dante] to Becky Herbst [Liz] and Leslie Charleson [Monica]. When John Ingle [ex-Edward] was alive, every single weekend, he was on a build; he kind of devoted all of his free time to that organization. Whenever we are framing a house, we always write a little tribute to him on one of the interior joists and leave a memorial to him inside the walls of the house.”
Do you get to meet the families who’ll be living in the houses you build? “Yes, and meeting them and hearing their stories, and how Habitat changed their life — it’s just incredible. Some of the people, hardship has fallen on them because of health issues with their kids, and it’s just devastating to think about. It’s heartbreaking. To be able to do the slightest thing to make something possible for these amazing parents and amazing families — it’s nothing! It’s one fun day out of our lives, and a little bit of leg work leading up to it, and really, they are the heroes.”
