Volunteer Spotlights

Why volunteer with Habitat?  There are many volunteer opportunities is most communities and most offer meaningful contributions to our community. I chose Habitat because it helps people who can use help moving ahead to gain solid footing with a home while gaining equity, pride, and hopefully stability and security not just for today, but for years to come.

What do I enjoy about volunteering at Habitat?  Coming from a farm as a boy but working in an office atmosphere all my career, I have missed at times working with my hands. Habitat affords that opportunity along with knowing we are recycling useful household products, furniture, tools and other furnishings while saving tons of materials going to landfills. Volunteering at Habitat rewards me with a feeling reward of service, warmth and camaraderie.

What does a home mean to me?  Home is a place of reward, pride, security, a safe base for family for years to come and a place a person can change to their liking. Though it is nice to go on trips, see distant relatives and the like, it’s always good to get “home” again.

What inspired you to volunteer with Habitat?

KRISTI: Living and working in a small community in North Dakota, I never had any exposure to Habitat for Humanity.  After moving to Alexandria a few years ago, I signed up to work at a Habitat home in Osakis through my participation with the Alexandria Area Newcomers organization.  I am so happy that friends encouraged me to seek out this volunteer opportunity!  I helped put siding on this house, which I never ever thought I would do!

DONN: I appreciate Habitat’s mission, which is to place people into a home of their own and provide the necessary support to accomplish this. We never had an organization like Habitat for Humanity in the communities we resided in North Dakota although a strong need existed for many people. With the high economic cost of housing, organizations like Habitat are essential, and I want to be a part of that.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with Habitat?

KRISTI: I love the comradery that takes place with everyone at the work site!  The construction manager Aaron and the other carpenters are so willing to show the volunteers what needs to be done throughout the day.  The crew is patient, kind, and very forgiving if a mistake is made by the volunteers!  They simply correct the error and move on!  Donn and I are now in a mentoring role for Brittany and her family, and we are thrilled to help them in a variety of ways as they look forward to living in their brand new home!

DONN: I have just begun volunteering with Habitat and enjoy the positive and sincere attitudes present with employees and other volunteers. It is fun working together with people who are truly committed to their mission of helping others. I also appreciate Aaron and his ability, patience, and cheerful attitude in teaching volunteers about the tasks of building. Habitat has many special people like Aaron.

What does your home mean to you?

KRISTI: Donn and I love to entertain, so we strive to make our home inviting and comfortable for our guests, whether they are family members, friends, or people we are just beginning to know.  Our home is a place where we can find peace and security, but we also love it when it is full of movement and noise!  This happens especially when our young grandchildren come to see us!

DONN: Our home is our sanctuary-a place where we can relax, entertain, have overnight guests, and appreciate the security and safety we have in ownership. Owning a home is a source of pride for us, and we take satisfaction in keeping it maintained and current in safety and construction aspects.  Setting a goal of paying off one’s home prior to transitioning out of the work force allows a homeowner to enjoy a much more secure and less stressful retirement financially.

What inspired you to volunteer with Habitat?

A few bits of inspiration include the purpose of Habitat to provide affordable housing and the ability to live out my faith in action -- either as a board member or as a volunteer on a build.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with Habitat?

Interacting with future homeowners, Habitat staff and co-workers around a common purpose is an awesome feeling.  On the build site - you get to see the results at the end of the shift. 

What does your home mean to you?

Home is a place where we get to be safely be a family - have meals together, play games, be present with each other in a safe place.  Home = family