Building Homes and Better Futures

by Jeannine Gage

Luisa Padilla has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka since 2020, when she retired from her job in the home appraisal field. The Longwood resident works at Habitat’s office in Altamonte Springs, making sure that all mortgage paperwork is in order. 

At the nonprofit organization’s recent volunteer award banquet, Louisa was honored as part of the Core Crew, volunteers who have worked more than 40 hours for Habitat in the past year.

“I love it. The best part for me is to watch these families flourish,” says Luisa. “Once they have a roof over their head, they can do so much. They can focus on their careers, send their kids to college – things like that.”

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that – through donations, business partnerships, and volunteer labor – builds affordable homes which are sold to low-to-moderate income families at no profit and are financed with a modest mortgage. The families contribute sweat equity, helping build their home as well as those of other, future homebuyers. Locally, the Seminole-Apopka branch has built 250 homes in 34 years.

Lending a Hand

David Johnson, Seminole County’s property appraiser and chairman of the local Habitat board, says he supports the organization because it gets things done.

“The lack of affordable housing is a problem in our community,” says David, “and Habitat is actually trying to solve that problem. And I love the concept of a hand up, not a hand out.”

David helped recognize the volunteers at the banquet, alongside Penny Seater, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka. More than 100 volunteers were celebrated for their contributions, exceptional service, and commitment to the organization.

“Our volunteers are our strongest champions, helping us reach the milestone of building our 250th home while fostering community engagement and raising awareness about affordable housing,” says Penny. “We deeply appreciate their unwavering commitment and celebrate their achievements.”

In the past year, Penny says, 494 volunteers donated 5,040 work hours.

A Family Affair 

Charles Ellert of Lake Mary and his two sons, Charlie, 20, and Henry, 18, were honored as the Volunteer Family of the Year. 

Charles, Charlie, and Henry averaged around 100 volunteer hours each in the last year. The Ellerts got started with Habitat for Humanity five years ago when Charlie needed community service hours for school.

“He was always interested in architecture, so we thought this would be a good fit,” says Charles. “I decided to do it with him, and once we started, we just never stopped.”

Henry joined them last year, and Charles is now a board member, too. Like Luisa, Charles loves seeing future homebuyers learn about the home ownership process and realize that they have promising futures.

“It’s just amazingly rewarding,” says Charles.

Paying It Forward 

Another honoree was Jackie Pacheco of Sanford, who received the Stephanie Smith Memorial Award. Both Stephanie and Jackie, a single mother, came to Habitat as homebuyers and then went on to become valued volunteers for Habitat.

Stephanie, whose battle with cancer claimed her life this past year, was tenacious and had a can-do attitude, says Penny. A lifelong Sanford resident, Stephanie was a nurse who devoted her life to caring for others. Her daughter and granddaughter now live in Stephanie’s Habitat home.

Jackie was thrilled to receive the inaugural Stephanie Smith award, which pays tribute to Stephanie’s legacy and is given to a new homeowner who exemplifies her spirit of service and commitment.

“My journey with Habitat did not end with us moving into the house,” says Jackie. “I am so happy that it continues, and that I can give back to others.”

Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka’s volunteer award recipients for 2025

 Rosalynn & Jimmy Carter Legacy Award Wharton-Smith

Stephanie Smith Memorial Award Jackie Pacheco

Lifetime Achievement Award Cassie Fleming

President’s Volunteer Service Award Michael Cruse

Millard Fuller Award Carla Hogan and Rose Castano

Education Partner of the Year Fairwinds Credit Union /Elisha González

Selection Committee Volunteer of the Year Suzanne Weinstein /Orlando Credit Union

Faith Partner Award Annunciation Catholic Church

Corporate Partner of the Year AdventHealth

Construction Volunteer Group of the Year Knights Build

Construction Volunteer of the Year Jerry Fitzgerald

Volunteer Family of the Year The Ellert Family

Mentorship Council Volunteer of the Year Lynn Tuttle

Hostess with the Mostess Susan Rich

Feeding the Troops Knights of Columbus