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Sarah Michelle Gellar, aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is well known for her swift moves and demon-destroying prowess. On-air she gives fans, young and old alike, a role model to admire, as her character strives to use her talents to do good in the often besieged world of Sunnydale, CA. Outside of her Buffy role, Sarah is quick to deflect the role-model mantle. "I haven't done anything," she says, "except maybe go after my dream." Many would argue to the contrary, especially in light of Sarah's recent dedication to Habitat for Humanity, a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing.

Taking the summer off from filming, Sarah made her way to the Dominican Republic en route from Fiji. On a visit there, she marveled at the self sufficiency of people surviving on the barest of essentials. "It made me realize," she remembers, "if people can't manage, they need (our) help." Since landing a role on All My Children in 1993, Sarah's help to numerous charities had taken the form of donation checks. But Sarah was looking for something more; something that she could feel a part of.

Habitat welcomed the actress's involvement, and she delighted in the chance to get her hands dirty for the cause. "It's not just financial support Habitat needs," says Sarah. "You have the skill to paint houses. If you just have this desire to go, they'll teach you. They'll take you." They took Sarah to rebuild the hurricane-damaged home of a Dominican woman, a single mother with four children who is studying to become a teacher. And Sarah shoveled, painted and laid cement floors with the best of them, despite her tiny stature and slim frame.

Reflecting on her time in the Dominican Republic, Sarah takes great satisfaction in the ability of habitat volunteers to work together, not to mention her personal connection with Yolanda Perez Arias, for whom the house was built. "Maybe I can't relate to her life," Sarah acknowledges, "but we feel the same things. The pride in her eyes, in her daughter's eyes, that's like my mom and me." Beyond the direct impact Sarah's work has made on the lives of others, and her personal growth during the experience, Sarah sees habitat as a "doubly positive" effort. She is quick to point out that it is something her fans, and everyone else, can do as easily as she.

This is not lost on Millard Fuller, Habitat's founder and president. Sarah is an icon to the young people who are so integral to habitat's success worldwide. "Sarah's involvement really telegraphs a powerful message, especially to younger people, that this is a good thing to do. What she's doing is modeling a behavior, which others emulate. She's willing to get her hands dirty, and that's impressive."

For more information or to make a contribution, write Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498, call (229) 924-6935 or visit www.habitat.org.