Ready to get your hands dirty sanding, staining, painting, having fun and supporting a bigger cause? A June 28 build your own stool workshop at the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity will teach participants building skills and all proceeds will help fund the FAHH’s July 28 - Aug 1 Youth Construction Camp.
Ashley Thompson, director of Marketing at the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, says that while the 30 for $30 event gives participants the opportunity to build and finish a wooden stool, this is the first event they’ve hosted that focuses solely on building a stool. It’s not unlike other popular workshops they’ve hosted in the past.
In March, they hosted a Woman’s Build that was filled to capacity and received feedback from many interested participants who would have loved to attend but didn’t get a spot. The Woman’s Build included instruction in a host of simple home repairs that were geared toward helping women cut down on repair costs by learning to diagnose simple problems like a tripped circuit or loose water pipes.
After visiting each station to learn a home repair skill, participants got to build and finish a wooden stool. Thompson said the event was well-received.
"The response was so good that we said, well, how about we just cut it in half? Do 30 people for $30... and then we'll put this build toward our upcoming construction camp for our youth."
This time around, the event will focus solely on crafting the stool that participants can then bring home and use for a variety of purposes - a plant stand, a foot rest, a book stand; the options are endless. Thompson says that participants always enjoy seeing the fruit of their creativity.
“Just the fact that you’re seeing what you finally put together is really rewarding,” she said.
At the 30 for $30 Build, participants will also enjoy knowing that their application fee supports the upcoming Construction Camp.
Hosted by the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity and Sweet Valley Ranch, the Construction Camp’s tagline is “Building the future with the future.” It’s open to 16-19 year olds who will receive hands-on instruction from licensed tradesmen in drywall, installation, electrical, plumbing and framing. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily, along with t-shirts for participants to bring home and a graduation ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments. Though the 30 for $30 build won’t fund the entire event, it will contribute to important costs such as snacks for the students throughout the day. The Habitat for Humanity also accepts Construction Camp sponsorships, which can be facilitated by contacting marketing@fayettevillehabitat.org
Thompson said it seems participants enjoy getting out of the house, putting their phones down, and even participating in workshops alongside family and friends. She commented on the revitalization of trades and the practicality of learning hands on skills.
“The trades were lost at one point, and I feel like they’re slowly coming back, especially the way the economy is going, some trades are making more than a college degree now,” she said.
These and many other workshops offered by the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity all support their mission of affordable housing for all.
“It’s just putting God’s love into action,” Thompson explained, “We want to make sure we live in a world where people can have a decent place to live and feel like ‘OK, I really have pride in what I work for’ without going broke.”
In 2024, the FAHH completed 8 homes and 26 repairs, according to Thompson, with some being veteran-oriented and others serving the community at large.
“That’s for critical home repairs and veteran repairs, because we do focus on the community as well.”
Additionally, they’ve recently opened their financial workshops to the general public, allowing participants to gain “free knowledge” about healthy financial practices, budgeting, credit
and more.
The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers who sign up with their volunteer coordinator. Thompson says many volunteers attend to fulfill community service hours and come back just for fun.
“They say, ‘When can we come again, can you keep us posted?’” Thompson explained.
To reach FAHH’s volunteer coordinator, sign up for a workshop, or sponsor a construction camp student, visit www.fayettevillenchabitat.org.

(Photo: The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity holds builds throughout the community to help teach skills to participants. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity)