Concord's Terry Gleason got busy when most people really start to relax.

"I started volunteering for the Habitat of Humanity after I retired," said Gleason, 73, who had a long career as an engineer. "It was just something to do to stay busy."

In the last 10 years, Gleason has taken his talent and volunteer spirit to a level most people couldn't imagine. He just spent seven days donating his time to work on a Fuller Center for Housing project in Lanett, Ala.

"I got a call from a friend back east asking if I would go back there and help," Gleason said.

The Fuller Center for Housing is funding the restoration of a low-income housing area in Lanett.

Gleason spent a week helping build six new houses. Six more new low-income will be built as part of the same project later.

"We did some maintenance on eight other homes," Gleason said. "They're really trying to renovate the area."

When Gleason and other volunteers arrived, the foundations for the homes were already in place. He was part of an experienced group of builders who turned the homes into finished products.

"We do whatever's needed," he said. "Plumbing, carpentry "... whatever they need. There was a really experienced group of volunteers in Alabama. There were contractors and other professionals donating their time."

Once the homes are finished, low-income families are eligible to buy them.

"People have to qualify for zero-interest loans and

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show that they're coming from substandard housing," Gleason said. "The idea is to build homes for low-income residents, but they have to prove they can afford to live there."

The Fuller Center provides meal money for Gleason and other volunteers. That comes from a $150 fee volunteers pay to participate in the program.

"We have to get our own local lodging and pay for our own transportation back there," Gleason said.

Gleason's headed to Thailand soon to work for the Jimmy Carter World Building Habitat. But, spending time donating his skills to help others is second nature to the Concord resident.

"When the Habitat for Humanity is active in my area, I probably volunteer for two days a week for three or four weeks in a month. I probably give six to 20 hours of my time a week when I'm with the Habitat."

Gleason does good things for others and sees an increase in volunteer spirit across America.

"Overall, yes, I think people are volunteering more," he said. "I think people are realizing that the government won't help us do everything. We have to help one another."