Local volunteer homebuilders celebrate a milestone starting today.

The Tacoma/Pierce County chapter of Habitat for Humanity kicks off its year-long 25th anniversary celebration with an invitation-only fundraising lunch for hundreds of boosters at Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma.

The group will be cheered on by special guest Clive Rainey, known as the original volunteer for Habitat for Humanity International, having signed up way back in 1977. Rainey has worked on projects from Florida to Africa and came up with the “sweat equity” concept, in which families contribute unskilled labor as a down payment on their homes.

The local chapter, for its part, has built 170 affordable family homes since its formation in 1985. It is always looking for volunteers to swing a hammer and do other jobs. Go to the group’s Website to learn about upcoming orientation sessions in March and April.