Do I need prior carpentry experience?

No—Houston ToolBank provides plans and instructors; volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.

What is the minimum age to volunteer?

Minimum age is 12; younger children are not permitted to participate in the build.

Check in at the front doors of Moody Mansion; organizers will direct volunteers from the Courtyard meeting point.

Is there parking available?

You may park in the private lot or on the street near Moody Mansion.

Will lunch and water be provided?

Yes—lunch and water are provided to all registered volunteers.

Is the site accessible?

Yes—an elevator is available for those in need and the organizers can accommodate small wheelchairs and walkers.

Volunteer at Moody Mansion: Build Picnic Tables for Galveston Kids | Service | Events

On a cool December morning at the Mary Moody Northen Endowment's Moody Mansion in Galveston, volunteers gather in the sunlit Courtyard to build picnic tables for local nonprofits. The mansion, an ornate late-Victorian house on Galveston Island, provides a striking backdrop: gingerbread trim, broad porches, and a formal courtyard that opens to the neighborhood. This one-day community build on December 13 offers a practical, hands-on way to support Moody Early Childhood Center, the Galveston Children’s Museum, Texas A&M Galveston, and Galveston Urban Ministries. The project is simple to understand and richly rewarding. Houston ToolBank supplies plans, lumber, and experienced crew who organize teams and demonstrate safe techniques. Boy Scouts will be on-site alongside community volunteers; no prior carpentry experience is required, though basic hand-tool familiarity helps. Expect a workday that runs about six hours, with docents checking volunteers in through the front doors and an elevator available for those needing accessible circulation. Volunteers receive a free pass to explore the mansion after the build, and lunch plus water are provided. What makes this event special is the combination of place and purpose. Moody Mansion is an important piece of Galveston’s built history—its Victorian features and preserved rooms offer a window into the island’s turn-of-the-century life while the courtyard becomes a civic workshop. Unlike a typical volunteer scrape, the day pairs practical training from Houston ToolBank with youth engagement through the Boy Scouts, meaning volunteers walk away with a finished table and transferable skills. Logistics are straightforward: park in the private lot or on the street, check in at the front doors, and come prepared with closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. The group aims for 50 volunteers; organizers recommend arriving on time so teams can be formed efficiently. The work is physical but paced, and leaders rotate tasks so participants can learn sawing, drilling, and assembly without being left at a single station. Beyond the build, allow time to tour Moody Mansion—docents guide visitors through period rooms—and to stroll nearby historic blocks or the Seawall for a Gulf breeze. This volunteer day blends civic service with a cultural visit: you’ll leave with a tangible contribution to local children's spaces, a fresh sense of connection to Galveston’s history, and a new set of practical skills. Veteran volunteers, families with teens, and visitors who want a meaningful way to spend a day in Galveston are all welcome. Children under 12 are not allowed; minimum age is 12. Wear layers if the forecast is variable and bring a small first-aid kit if you have specific needs—the organizers provide standard safety gear and gloves but recommend you bring personal work gloves. Sign-ups are required; tickets are checked at the front door.