STV’s Franklin, Tennessee, team partnered in a hands-on volunteer effort with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) to build picnic tables for the local community.

The group came together to build six picnic tables to be sold at Habitat for Humanity ReStore (ReStore), which provides the Franklin community with used and new furniture, home décor, lighting, appliances, cabinetry and building materials at a fraction of retail cost. Every ReStore purchase supports HFHWM’s mission to build safe, energy-efficient and affordable housing for local families. For the STV team, the effort reflected the same collaborative, problem-solving approach they bring to infrastructure projects – turning raw materials into solutions that serve people.

“STV’s Franklin team was excited to partner with HFHWM for a brand-new volunteer opportunity to construct picnic tables,” said Natalie Geng, roadway engineer. “It was a great way to give back to our local community while putting our engineering and teamwork skills to use.”

There is significant demand for these sturdy, wooden picnic tables, so this new volunteer opportunity is a way for HFHWM to offer a frequently requested item for shoppers, support ReStore sales and share its mission with volunteer groups. By contributing these tables, the STV team is helping to expand access to affordable outdoor furnishings for families and community spaces across the region. It also allows volunteers to get their hands dirty – using drills, screws and bolts to construct the tables.

“By splitting into small groups, we were able to get to know one another better while working together to turn piles of materials into finished tables,” said Cason Sewell, civil engineering intern. “It was a rewarding and fun experience that will help make our community better.”