As of December 2009, more than 18,000 volunteers have helped St. Bernard Project rebuild 262 families' homes. It’s an impressive amount of volunteers, yet the need is still great in St. Bernard Parish. Thousands of families still struggle to get back into their homes.

How much of an impact can one volunteer make?

In one day a St. Bernard Project volunteer without previous construction experience can

• Spackle/mud in several rooms
• Install a new floor
• Paint a small house

Now that you know what can be done in a day, imagine what you can be done in two days. One week. Two weeks. One month. Double that if you bring a friend. Or multiply it by the size of your team.

How do I sign up to volunteer?

• Register online with our new system! View the SBP volunteer calendar and select your dates. You will receive an email response as soon as your dates are approved.
• Read the Volunteer Arrival Packet and plan your trip! (SBP fact sheet, volunteer housing options, rental car discounts and other specifics on volunteering with SBP.)
• Complete the SBP Release Forms (with minors obtaining a parent/guardian signature) and bring them to orientation on your first day.

What will I do as a volunteer?

You will literally help rebuild a family’s home. This may include hanging insulation or sheetrock, mudding/spackling, sanding, texturing, priming, painting, laying floors, and/or hanging trim, doors and baseboard. If you have significant experience any of these areas or in framing, electric, plumbing and/or cabinetry, please inform the Volunteer Department prior to your arrival so that we can assign you to a specialty team.

Did you know that the expenses you incur as a volunteer may be tax deductible?

Travel expenses of a volunteer who works for a tax-exempt organization are deductible if the taxpayer's dominant motive in rendering the services is charitable in nature. A charitable contribution deduction is allowed for unreimbursed travel expenses (food and lodging while away from home overnight) and automobile expenses. The standard mileage rate to be used in determining the deduction is 14 cents per mile. The standard mileage rate is an alternative to use of the actual expense method. Under either method, a taxpayer may also deduct parking fees and tolls but may not deduct general repair or maintenance expenses, depreciation, insurance or registration fees.

No charitable deductions are allowed for travel expenses unless there is no significant element (typically no more than 50%) of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel. Deductibility will depend on the necessity of the travel in relation to the performance of charitable services. For instance, deduction for travel expenses will be denied to a taxpayer who performs only nominal services for a charity while traveling or who is not required to render services for significant portions of the trip.

Please talk to your tax advisor for more information about tax-deductions for volunteers. SBP can provide a verification of service letter to a volunteer upon request on SBP letterhead.

To learn more about what it is like to be a volunteer with the St. Bernard Project check out our Volunteer FAQs, Volunteer Feedback, and read news articles about SBP.