Hazel Tate, 87, and her daughter Hilda Levy,  67, shared a modest double-shotgun home in the historic neighborhood of St Roch. in New Orleans. Their home was one of the many that was significantly damaged by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding that decimated the city during September 2005.

In addition to the damaged caused by the hurricane, their home was later vandalized and then suffered significant fire damage.

Hazel and Hilda were separated when the city was evacuated in the hours after the hurricane began.  Hazel temporarily moved to Florida and Hilda to Alexander, La.

Now, NAHB is working with the nonprofit ground Rebuilding Together New Orleans to help these deserving home owners with repairs and renovation that will allow the two women to live in a safe, secure environment.  And because the repairs are being being performed by volunteers attending the NAHB National Green Building conference, the work includes adding insulation, new windows and energy-efficient appliances so that the two women's home is a little bit greener, too.

Conference attendees can volunteer to do the work on Saturday, May 10. Participants will be provided with commemorative t-shirts, transportation to and from the site, and lunch.

The 50+Housing Symposium takes place in New Orleans the week after the NAHB National Green Building Conference. Volunteers attending that event plan to add aging-in-place features to the home like grab bars and task lighting to the home, showcasing the specialties of those conference attendees.

To sign up for volunteer duty, visit the NAHB National Green Building Conference special event registration page.