Framing frenzy takes over Dogfish

More than 100 volunteers from Dogfish Head raced against the rain April 24 during a “framing frenzy” for five Habitat for Humanity homes in Sussex County.

Hundreds of 2-by-4s piled in the back parking lot of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton as volunteers donned safety glasses and tool belts to assemble frames needed for future homes to be built in Ellendale's Ingram Village and just outside of Milton.

“This is one of my favorite days of work,” said Dogfish Founder and President Sam Calagione as he took a break from hammering a frame. “The mission of Habitat for Humanity is all about the reward of working hard and collaborating, and that mission is part of what we do at Dogfish. We see it as an opportunity to give back to the community that supports us.”

Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kevin Gilmore said in the eight years Dogfish has participated in the framing frenzy, volunteers from the business have helped build 26 homes. This year, about 170 Dogfish employees signed up to volunteer, he said.

“It's a great demonstration to other businesses about giving back to the community,” Gilmore said. “It's really a great way to bring people together to help the community.”

Korah West, who worked on the frame of her future house, said she was stunned by the turnout of volunteers.

“I've never been to something like this, and it's overwhelming that it's my house,” the single mom said. “This is absolutely amazing.”

Deandria Morris, another soon-to-be-homeowner benefitting from the Habitat builds, also said she was blown away.

“I just think it's a blessing that people can volunteer their time to other people they don't even know,” she said.

For more about Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, go to sussexcountyhabitat.org.