Volunteers

Hill Walk Wall Delivery Day! Our volunteers carry walls all the way up to the top of the hill. Some of those walls were 12 feet long and weighed hundreds of pounds. This picture shows the true spirit of Habitat, and just what you can accomplish with the help of God!

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region looks forward to working with volunteers who are interested in sharing their abilities in an effort to eliminate poverty housing from the Grand Traverse region. The work of HFH-GTR is diverse. Our charter covers a three-county area and we try to match volunteers with their areas of expertise, interest, and reasonably convenient work locations.

 

 

 

Here's an article about Habitat Heroes for this year.

Habitat Hero - Times four!

 

By Terri Hillier and Christine Kurtz

HFH-Grand Traverse Region recognizes four people who unselfishly donate their time to help so many. Ken Andrews, Dan Bush, Tom Keith and Bob Loizos are this quarter’s Habitat Heroes. This group of energetic retirees worked together on the Fosters’ home in Maple City  under the supervision of Habitat’s construction manager, Dennis Lutes. Dennis said he was impressed with their eagerness to perform any task when asked and was amazed at how much pride they demonstrated in their work.

The four volunteers have helped build over a dozen homes in their years of volunteering together for Habitat. A common thread among them is a strong sense of purpose, of giving back to the community in a meaningful way. They say they find it very gratifying to help others help themselves and enjoy the camaraderie of working as a group toward a common goal.  HFH-Grand Traverse Region gratefully acknowledges their commitment to building a stronger community.

Ken retired after 34 years with Whirlpool. He and his wife, Glenda, live in Lake Ann. They have two children and five grandchildren. He began volunteering with HFH in Benton Harbor during the Jimmy Carter Work Project in 2005. He has worked on approximately 30 homes total, five in the Grand Traverse Area.

Dan has lived in the area for three years, having retired after more than 20 years with Black & Decker. He first became involved with Habitat through  the Circle of 12 two summers ago. He and his wife, Sue, have two children and three grandchildren.

Practically a Traverse City Area native, Tom has lived here since he was a toddler. He retired following 18 years with Northern Lakes Community Mental Health. He and his wife, Teddy, have a son and two grandchildren. He also began working with Habitat during the JCWP. “It’s a nice fit [for me] to work with my hands and with great people.” Tom first worked with Dennis in the TBA-ISD many years ago.

Bob is a retired sales representative for petroleum equipment. Having lived in Traverse City previously, he moved back four years ago. He has four children and two grandchildren. Bob has volunteered for the past three years and admires his three co-workers as being “real craftsmen.” He said Dennis is an “excellent leader, patient and a good teacher.”

But, first and foremost, he said, “I serve the Lord.”

 

If you would like to be a volunteer please fill out our Prospective Volunteer Skills and Interest Survey (PDF) and return it to our office.