uses his knowledge and craftsmanship of woodworking to build and repair houses for needy people in Brazoria County.
"Just like some people like collecting stamps as a hobby, mine is working with wood," said the 50-year-old Lake Jackson resident. "I liked working with wood when I was young and would make my own kid soap box."
He began to take woodworking seriously in 1992 when he started making minor repairs around the house.
He would repair broken furniture. Later, he ventured into roof and other major home repairs.
Anderson, a chemical engineer, started working for charities and nonprofit organizations that assist the needy.
He has worked with institutions like Faith in Action, United Way and Habitat for Humanity in repairing and building homes for the elderly on fixed incomes.
"I got some friends together to work on the first Neighbor Day seven years ago and in the process met other volunteers," he said.
He said a volunteer from United Way invited him to work on the organization's committee that oversees activities for the annual Neighbor Day.
The committee also worked with other organizations doing similar work, including a youth program of the United Methodist Church called UM Army.
"UM Army was the first such program I participated in and it got me hooked on this type of volunteer work," he said.
The volunteers expect the owners of the houses to pitch in during the repair work. This can be by working on the house themselves, having family or friends help or providing lunch or refreshments.
"I work with other volunteers who are skilled in this work who have all taught me how to do house repairs professionally," he said.
He said that various charity groups contact the volunteers when there is a repair job and they team up to do the repair work.
The volunteers usually repair between five and 10 houses every year, but Anderson said he helped repair and build 20 houses last year.
"There is something beautiful and fulfilling about volunteering, about giving back to the community, that makes me want to do it all the time," he said.
Anderson works at Dow Chemicals, but volunteers his weekends and vacation time.
"My wife and family understand and appreciate the work I do, but I know they would want me to stay at home more often," he said.
If you have a suggestion for a "Faces in the Crowd" profile, contact Richard Zagrzecki at richard.zagrzecki@chron.com or send a fax to 713-220-7552.