The volunteer organization Habitat for Humanity is currently building eight new housing units in High Point. Twenty-six volunteers, if you include Mayor Greg Nickels, were on site.

"We're in tough times right now, and I think there is a real basic urge to try to reach out and help each other," said the mayor, sporting a hard hat and grasping a crowbar. "I ask that people go to my Web site and see 'Call for volunteers.' That may be picking up a hammer, working with senior citizens or at a food bank. Get connected to get through these tough times. I was at Family Services of King County's Baby Boutique, sorting baby clothes, which has been a long time for me."

"The eight units, on what we now call 'Block 26,' will be two single family houses, one at each end, and three duplexes in the middle," said Ben Hines, construction manager for Seattle Habitat for Humanity. "The mayor is here to highlight the importance of volunteering in our society. In this day and age we are seeing an increase in numbers of volunteers, and they're working longer hours. I think it is extremely important that people are able to donate a piece of their lives to help others."