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April 16-22, 2023 is National Volunteer Week!

Volunteers Apr. 16, 2023

April 16-22, 2023 is National Volunteer Week!

It’s National Volunteer Week, and this year’s theme is, Volunteering Weaves Us Together. A single strand of thread is pretty and functional – but when you weave many threads together, you create a something unique that is colourful, vibrant and strong! Our volunteers, like those single threads, bring their unique skills and personalities which strengthens the fabric of Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers help to create a world where we all have access to safe and affordable housing. They are the heart of our work across the country, reinforcing our mission every day and we celebrate each of them this week!

We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight the efforts of some of the thousands of volunteers who make our work possible. Each volunteer below was nominated by their local Habitat for their contributions on boards, committees, events, at Habitat ReStores and on build sites.

Congratulations to each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s work across Canada. Happy National Volunteer Week!

Hank

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton

Hank has volunteered with Habitat for over 30 years, first with Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg and then joining Habitat Edmonton as a board member in 1991. Since then, Hank has volunteered throughout the organization, contributing to special events, construction, and most recently to Habitat Edmonton’s ReStore. One of Hank’s most incredible contributions is his beautifully detailed birdhouses – more than 200 of them – crafted from Habitat ReStore materials and donated back to the ReStore to be sold. To best sum up this wonderful volunteer are Hank’s own words: “The most satisfying way I can live my life is by helping others.” We are lucky to have Hank as part of Habitat Edmonton’s team.

Bill

Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area

Since 2018, Bill has served on Habitat Fredericton’s board in various roles: board member, vice chair, chair, and now, past chair, and has supported Habitat globally by participating on builds in Zambia and Vietnam. Passionate and committed, Bill has also played an integral role on Habitat’s New Brunswick Affiliate Steering Committee, working towards the successful collaboration and amalgamation of three New Brunswick Habitat organizations with the primary goal of significantly increasing the impact of Habitat for Humanity in the province. Bill’s leadership, teamwork and dedication have helped the group to remain focused, and Habitat Fredericton is thankful for his many contributions.

Rhys

Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

Rhys has been with Habitat Greater Ottawa since 2017, volunteering almost 800 hours on build sites and most recently at the Habitat ReStore. Rhys has a heart of gold and cares greatly for Habitat staff, homeowners and Habitat’s mission. He is always willing to jump in when needed, whether it be on the ReStore truck when short-staffed, helping with large national ReStore orders or helping to set up for events. Habitat Greater Ottawa values the passion, dedication, and fun and upbeat attitude that Rhys brings each day. Thank you, Rhys!

Robert

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area

Bob began his volunteer journey with Habitat Greater Toronto Area in 2014 and since then has contributed more than 3,000 hours to the organization through construction and at the Habitat ReStore. Bob can fix or build anything. Knowledgeable in all areas of construction and building, Bob joined Habitat GTA’s Crew Leader program and has volunteered on several home builds. He mentors new volunteers, shares his knowledge, has amazing customer service skills, and has greatly contributed to ReStore sales. We want to sincerely thank Bob for his dedication and contribution to Habitat GTA and our mission.

Nic

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver

Nic began volunteering with Habitat Greater Vancouver five years ago after graduating from North Surrey Secondary School and has completed over 1,000 hours of service working on Habitat build sites. Hard working and passionate about safety in the workplace, Nic’s positive attitude and professionalism have made a lasting impact on the Habitat team and corporate build day volunteers. He possesses a wonderful sense of humour, and his laugh is beyond infectious. Nic is an exceptionally detailed and talented artist and loves to gift his artworks to people he has met during his time with Habitat. Habitat Greater Vancouver is grateful to have Nic as part of their Build Team and applauds his many contributions.

Richard

Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington

Richard is an integral part of Habitat Guelph Wellington’s ReStore success. A man of many talents, Richard assists in volunteer recruitment by teaching new volunteers how the ReStore functions and befriends everyone around him, which allows him to role model to other volunteers. Richard has made ReStore volunteering a family affair by including his children and goes above and beyond in everything he does from engaging with customers to supporting student volunteers and readily assisting on any project, even altering his schedule to help. Thank you, Richard! Habitat Guelph Wellington is incredibly lucky to have you.

Dennis

Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin

Dennis is the smiling face and happy hello that meets and greets customers every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Milton Habitat ReStore. Dennis started out as a jack-of-all-trades, but over the past year has become the master of cash and is only a few shifts away from reaching the incredible achievement of 2,000 volunteer hours. Adored by customers, staff and fellow volunteers alike, we sincerely thank Dennis for his dedication and tremendous contribution to Habitat Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin, and the families they support.

Cheryl

Habitat for Humanity Hamilton

Cheryl first began volunteering with Habitat Hamilton on a home build site along with members of her workplace, the Team Orange crew from Dofasco. Since 2017, she has contributed over 650 hours helping to build more than 12 homes for families in Hamilton and volunteering at the ReStore. Kind, dedicated, hard-working and community minded, Cheryl has built long-lasting and supportive relationships with home partners and her positive attitude and welcoming demeanour are greatly appreciated by staff, shoppers and other volunteers. Cheryl’s participation in Habitat Hamilton has helped to build a lasting impact for home partners and the Hamilton community.

Tom

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario

Eighty-two years young, Tom is a treasured and highly respected Habitat volunteer, especially on Habitat Heartland Ontario’s build sites. A retired professional builder living in Brantford, Tom likes to keep busy, work with his hands and was looking for an opportunity to pass on some of his building knowledge and experience before joining the volunteer team in 2021. In his short time with Habitat Heartland Ontario, he has contributed over 630 hours to the organization. Thank you, Tom for your enthusiasm, expertise and dedication to Habitat!

Peter

Habitat for Humanity Huronia

Peter began his volunteer journey with Habitat Huronia in 2008. With a background in construction and home inspections, he joined the build committee and has helped Habitat Huronia build more than 16 homes to date. A few years ago, Peter became the Kitchens to Homes Deconstruction team lead and now oversees 15 volunteers and the team’s communication with Habitat Huronia’s ReStore, going the extra mile to inspect homes before each kitchen deconstruction visit. A dedicated volunteer who enjoys training and mentoring other volunteers and being involved in its many projects, Habitat Huronia is grateful for Peter’s many contributions.

Rick

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba

When it comes to giving back to the community, Rick is all about putting his best foot forward. After retiring, Rick volunteered with Habitat Manitoba, first as a bus driver with its Cycle of Hope fundraiser and then cycling with his wife as part of the Spirit of Hope fundraiser from Hecla to Winnipeg in 2020 and 2021. His joy at seeing families receive the keys to their new homes, along with his enthusiasm and love of friendship and camaraderie has inspired him to keep cycling and raising funds for Habitat Manitoba. We are appreciative of Rick’s passion and continued dedication to Habitat’s mission.

Michael

Habitat for Humanity Niagara

Since 2018, Michael has been a familiar face at Habitat Niagara’s build sites. The construction team has a great appreciation for Michael’s solid understanding of construction, commitment to safety, and dedication to Habitat. Recently appointed Construction Crew Lead in support of Niagara’s Build Day program, Michael ensures participants have a great experience. A pleasure to have on the build site, Michael always goes above and beyond, and ensures that others around him are learning and engaged. We are very thankful for Michael’s contributions to Habitat Niagara and are so proud to have him on our team.

David

Habitat for Humanity Northumberland

David began his journey with Habitat Northumberland in 2017 as a board member. A retired realtor, David quickly took on a leadership role supporting Habitat Northumberland’s management team to acquire land and ready it for development. David’s real estate skills, incredible attention to detail, balanced decision making, and dedication of time has been a real asset. His leadership as board secretary, vice-chair and now board chair has ensured that Habitat Northumberland can do more to support families to access and maintain affordable housing in the surrounding community. Thank you, David, for your generous support.

Dave

Habitat for Humanity Northwest Territories

As board chair, Dave has donated hundreds of volunteer hours and knows how to uplift and support every person he meets – volunteers and homeowners alike. Dave understands the power of collaboration and partnerships, and is a strong advocate for the north, for affordable housing and for his community. He builds strong relationships with leaders in various levels of government, and it has been said he knows almost everyone in the Northwest Territories! Dave is a true northern ambassador and always looks at solutions with a lens that helps to ensure they are tailored for and will work in the Northwest Territories, and for the families Habitat Northwest Territories works with.

Mike

Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia

Mike joined Habitat Nova Scotia’s ReStore volunteer team in 2022. Since then, he has served more than 300 hours in his first year alone! Mike is a pleasure to work with. He is dedicated, always willing to help with any task, positive and hardworking. Mike’s favourite part of volunteering is the opportunity to work with great people and leaving the ReStore at the end of each day knowing that he made a difference. Habitat Nova Scotia is thrilled to recognize Mike and we want to thank him for being an incredible volunteer.

Marty

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

A kind, passionate, and dedicated volunteer, Marty has been supporting Habitat Peterborough & Kawartha Region since 2018. Marty brings years of expertise and knowledge of health and safety into Habitat ReStores and the main office. He helps with safety inspections, supports the health and safety committee and provides emergency response education. Giving over 150 volunteer hours in 2022 alone, Marty is a mission-driven volunteer who always brings a positive attitude to everything he does and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever he can. We are incredibly grateful to have such an invaluable member as part of our Habitat family.

Gord

Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings

Gord has been volunteering with Habitat Prince Edward-Hastings for the past year. Dependable and efficient, he can normally be found in the warehouse clearing off the electrical testing table, while ensuring all lighting and small and large appliances are in tiptop shape prior to going onto the ReStore sales floor. Gord is a kindhearted and conscientious man who calls ahead when he isn't available and is missed whenever this occurs. Habitat Prince Edward-Hastings appreciates Gord’s contributions, and we are grateful to have him on our Habitat team.

Rick V

Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island

Joining Habitat Prince Edward Island in 2022, Rick has made an incredible impact within the organization in a very short time. Friendly, dedicated and talented, Rick started out volunteering at the Habitat ReStore, but now also shares his creativity, knowledge, expertise and leadership at the main office, helping to enhance internal and external communications. Rick has brought creative solutions to Habitat PEI’s ReStore, improving revenue streams while helping to increase Habitat’s impact in the community. A valued member of Habitat PEI’s team, we thank him for his incredible contributions.

Tip

Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton

Tip has been with Habitat Sarnia-Lambton’s ReStore since 2005, showing up every Monday and Friday for the past 18 years! His infectious smile and energy are truly unmatched. Tip works primarily in the warehouse sorting tools, equipment and other donations for testing and pricing before they are put out onto the ReStore sales floor. Tip has made a tremendous difference in the ReStore, helping to make the Sarnia-Lambton community a better place and Habitat Sarnia-Lambton is incredibly fortunate to have him.

William

Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC

For more than six years, William has played an integral role on Habitat Southeast BC’s board of directors as the Chair of the Family Services Committee with a high level of confidentiality and integrity, along with compassion and a wonderful sense of humour. William believes that communities are stronger when all families have housing stability. He is a strong advocate for decent, safe and affordable housing as a basic human right. Habitat Southeast BC values William’s gift of time, knowledge and passion for Habitat’s mission.

Gary

Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay

Gary’s many skills as an expert carpenter and jack-of-all-trades benefits Habitat Thunder Bay in so many ways. Gary volunteers in the Habitat ReStore, on house builds and serves on the Build Committee. With his confidence, know-how, and reliability to dig in and do what is needed, Gary has been vital to building Habitat homes for families in the Thunder Bay community. Gary’s skills extend to building custom furniture from local wood, with many items donated to be sold in the ReStore. Always professional and dependable, high energy and focused, Gary gets things done! Habitat is very appreciative of his contributions.

Eddy

Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North

Eddy has been an unsung hero at Habitat Vancouver Island North, volunteering for more than eight years in the Habitat ReStore. His contributions expand beyond helping to keep the store clean; Eddy is a comedian, and one of the kindest people you will ever meet! And he will always wish you a Merry Christmas (even in July). He brings a world of joy and laughter with him, and Habitat Vancouver Island North is truly grateful to have him on their team.

Susan

Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region

Susan is a valued member of Habitat Waterloo Region’s hospitality team where she has been volunteering for the past nine years. A leader, she is quick to think on her feet and is flexible when it comes to baking or making lunches for build volunteers. Susan will jump in when hospitality volunteers are sparse, and brings her granddaughter with her to assist in the kitchen when she can. Susan is friendly, passionate, and generous, which bodes well when she trains new volunteers and welcomes them to the kitchen. Susan is truly appreciated for her kitchen skills and positive outlook. Thank you, Susan!

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