Jon first got involved with Habitat in the 1980’s when he was living in Lexington, Kentucky, after attending a presentation about the organization. Jon and a friend of his, an older, retired man who liked to work with his hands just like Jon did, would go out on site together often. Jon describes Habitat for Humanity at that point as much less organized than it is today: “They’d hand us a blueprint and say, ‘Go do this.’” From that point on until he left Lexington in 2003, Jon was involved in three or four new builds. Later on, he moved to Canton, Ohio, where he was heavily involved with their Habitat affiliate. Eventually, he made his way to Habitat MidOhio in 2023 and has been a regular with our Tuesday and Thursday Crew ever since. In total, Jon has been involved with Habitat for almost 36 years.

Being involved in community service is not new to Jon, as much of his life has been spent giving back and fighting for a cause: “My life, going back to when I was a teenager, was involved in social action and social justice, whether it was freedom for Soviet Jews, or marching against the war in Vietnam, or resettling Cambodian refugees.” He has also always been involved with programs that include “collecting food and feeding people”. This heavy involvement in his community relates back to his Jewish faith— “One of my missions in life is to do something we call in Hebrew ‘tikkun olam’, which means ‘to repair the world’…I saw [Habitat] as an excellent example of doing that.”

In his experience as a volunteer, Jon has appreciated seeing Habitat become more organized for volunteers. Specifically, he appreciates the house leads and their wealth of knowledge! Along with better organization on site, Jon appreciates the effort Habitat MidOhio puts into volunteer appreciation and recognition, like the “thank you for volunteering” emails and our annual volunteer appreciation dinner—"Little things like that just let you know that you’re appreciated for the things you do.” As for accomplishments in his volunteer service, Jon is proud of the building itself, but also the people he has met—specifically, his crew on Tuesdays and Thursdays: “These guys that I work with on Tuesday and Thursday are just the nicest guys. That’s just been a real blessing for me to have a group of people that I can look forward to seeing a couple times a week.”

Outside of Habitat, Jon likes to golf, woodwork, garden, read, and spend time with family. One thing you might be surprised to learn about Jon is that he used to be a rabbi. In terms of words of wisdom, Jon wants future volunteers to be patient with themselves when it comes to learning on site: “Just be patient, give it some time. Don’t just come once or twice and say, ‘I can’t do this.’ Anybody can do it. You don’t have to have any skill level whatsoever to do this. If you stick with it for a couple months, you’re going to have skill levels that are going to make you dangerous around your own house, because then you’re going to start telling your wife or your partner ‘Yeah, I can do this!’”

Habitat appreciates you, Jon!

Ernie first got involved with Habitat back in 2009 when he was in between jobs—he would volunteer one day a week on one of our new builds. His first impression of Habitat was positive, as he was impressed by the skills and organization that Habitat construction sites practice: “When we got our assignments in the morning, it seemed like organized chaos getting started, but then everyone organized themselves into small teams to accomplish whatever needed to be done, and it got done!” Since his start on our new builds, Ernie has since become involved with the Playhouse Project and is now a Playhouse Project Captain. Before Habitat, Ernie worked at Nationwide Insurance for several years and would participate in their annual United Way campaigns. While working at Nationwide, he also donated over 100 pints of blood to the American Red Cross!

One memory that sticks out to Ernie in his volunteer service with Habitat was a particular group during one of our Blitz Builds, who went above and beyond for a playhouse recipient: “They brought with them several items including furniture, clothing, and stuffed animals for a Frozen themed playhouse. They had learned it was the little girl’s birthday, so they even had a cake that was decorated in the same colors as the playhouse. The little girl was so happy!” In his experience with the Playhouse Project, Ernie has learned to appreciate the creativity volunteer groups bring to each build: “Seeing what a diverse group of people can offer is amazing.” What makes Habitat a meaningful use of Ernie’s time is knowing that he is helping families in some small way: “Providing children a place to play and use their imagination is very gratifying. I hope a playhouse brings them joy and a place to dream.”

Outside of Habitat, Ernie has been a board member for his neighborhood’s HOA for several years. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, playing pickleball, biking, cooking, reading, and traveling. This year, he’s excited about traveling to Europe. One thing that might surprise you about Ernie is that he is quite adventurous—he’s gone skydiving, white water rafting, ziplining over the Royal Gorge in Colorado, and bicycling down the Haleakala Volcano in Hawaii. In terms of words of wisdom, Ernie wants future volunteers to remember the reward of putting in hard work: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try something new. The build days can be long, but seeing happy families is very rewarding.”

Thank you for everything you do, Ernie!

Seth first became involved with Habitat after attending a Leader Lessons event hosted by our Habitat Young Professionals group, or HYP. What he thought would just be a networking opportunity “opened [his] eyes to some of the real-world struggles families face with safe and affordable housing.” Seth joined HYP that day! He has now been the HYP Membership Chair for a year. Before Habitat, Seth wasn’t involved with any other organizations, but his experience with HYP inspired him to “be more involved in [the community] and give back.”

One of Seth’s favorite memories of volunteering was helping set up last year’s Playhouse Blitz. Although he wasn’t able to help with the actual builds, he loved “seeing the happiness the playhouses brought to the families.” Seth has always enjoyed working with his hands, so he appreciates getting to do just that with Habitat, as his job is more office-based. In his words, “It’s a rewarding experience, knowing that you are making a difference for someone and their family, all while learning new skills and building new relationships.” Seth’s most memorable accomplishment in his volunteer service was working with HYP and Betsey Goldstein to kick-off the first Grounds for Conversation event to bring awareness to Habitat MidOhio’s mission and raise money for HYP— “We had a great turnout!” All that being said, what makes volunteering with Habitat a meaningful use of Seth’s time is simply the opportunity to give back: “The ability to help others with a basic need like housing is very rewarding.”

Outside of Habitat, Seth is involved with Builders Exchange Young Professionals, Columbus Young Professionals, Lancaster-Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, F3 Lancaster, and the Rotary Club of Lancaster, OH (Club 375). As for hobbies, Seth enjoys traveling, hiking, exercise, golf, and spending time with his wife and their three dogs. Some things you might be surprised to learn about Seth is that he once won a grade school science fair by powering an electric motor with lemons, and he is currently planning on running his first marathon this fall. In terms of words of wisdom, Seth wants future volunteers to remember that every little thing helps: “Do what you can. Any time spent helping others is worth it. Don’t get hung up on how MUCH you can do, just do SOMETHING.”

Habitat appreciates you, Seth!

Brad first became involved with Habitat when he was attending a church in the Akron area in the early 2000s, as his church was part of a coalition that worked with the Summit County Habitat affiliate. He describes his first impression of Habitat as very positive, stating, “It was seeing firsthand the international reputation of Habitat is truly well deserved…the impact they’re making on people’s lives, that was the thing that really stuck with me.” Brad was involved with Habitat of Summit County for eight years—after he retired in January of 2023, he started regularly volunteering with Habitat MidOhio, and has been a member of the Tuesday & Thursday Crew ever since. Before Habitat, Brad was employed with a fiberglass manufacturing company where he was involved in research development, sales, and technical support. He was also a member of many associations and committees that worked with architects and energy codes.

One of Brad’s favorite parts of volunteering with Habitat is getting to participate in residential construction, as his job was mostly involved with industrial, commercial projects—he enjoys getting to see both sides of the construction world! Brad has also always appreciated Habitat’s focus on safety and organization on site. His greatest accomplishment as a volunteer has been the knowledge he’s gained while helping with New Builds: “My development with all the different aspects and requirements of these homes has been really a nice eye opener for me because I’ve been in construction all my life.” A memory that sticks out to Brad while volunteering with Habitat is the first Home Dedication ceremony he attended in Akron, a memory he will always have of “seeing firsthand the joy and the emotions of the homeowner and his family.” What makes volunteering with Habitat a meaningful use of Brad’s time is understanding the current need for affordable housing in our service area, and knowing he has a hand in helping: “Just to realize that I’m involved with an organization that’s truly making a difference in people’s lives, and I’m just a small very small part of that…that’s really what makes it meaningful.”

Outside of Habitat, Brad enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and woodworking—one of his favorite things to make is Adirondack chairs. He also volunteers with Mid-Ohio Food Collective once or twice every week. Something you might be surprised to learn about Brad is that his first job after college was with an aerospace company who produced ejection seats for military aircrafts—he got to help test them out! In terms of some words of wisdom, Brad wants future volunteers to know that our construction sites are welcoming and a space for learning: “Future volunteers will find that it’s a very welcoming environment on these job sites regardless of your experience or skillsets…everyone involved is learning. Whether you’re a new beginner or a skilled craftsman, there’s always something to learn on a job site.”

Thanks for everything you do, Brad!

Julie’s start with Habitat is a unique one. In 1989, she attended a meeting about affordable housing solutions in Waukegan, Illinois, and found herself wanting to help. With a focus on permanent housing solutions, Julie, her husband, and some friends founded Habitat for Humanity Lake County, IL that same year, where Julie was the Executive Director for 30 years. After retiring in 2019, Julie moved to Columbus—and after COVID shut-downs, she got involved with Habitat MidOhio in 2021. Now, she regularly volunteers as a member of the Homeowner Selection Committee and as one of our Habitat Ambassadors. She has also dabbled in photography, faith builds, and our L.I.F.E. Learning Lab. Before Habitat, Julie taught Special Education in five states. She and her husband also played guitar and sang in many Catholic church folk groups, served on church councils and committees, and were local leaders for a peace and justice group called Pax Christi in several states.

In her experience as a volunteer, Julie has nothing but love for every aspect of Habitat—in her words, “The mission is compelling, and the structure makes sense, with families building their own house and receiving education to become effective homeowners…the opportunity for volunteers to serve alongside the Partner Families is a gift!” She also appreciates the welcoming attitudes of Habitat MidOhio’s staff and other volunteers. Julie’s most memorable experience as a volunteer was meeting Jimmy Carter in 1990, when she went down to Habitat’s headquarters in Georgia for training as a volunteer Executive Director—"We had our picture taken, with a few secret service men in the background! I met him a few more times at events. I treasure a book he wrote, with his autograph in it!” In her experience with the Homeowner Selection Committee, Julie is grateful for being able to hear and see other people’s stories: “Having the opportunity to really talk with the many diverse families seeking what we all want – a decent place to live – keeps me humble.” She likes to share those at Ambassador events to recruit more volunteers for Habitat’s mission, which makes her feel that she is doing the right thing. In her plethora of Habitat experiences, Julie finds meaning in sharing her skills for good: “I try not to hide my light under a bushel.  Using my skills for outreach and relating to others makes me feel like I am doing what God wants me to do.”

Outside of Habitat, Julie teaches an English Conversation class and recruits and screens volunteers with the American Red Cross. Her biggest hobby is her family (that’s why she moved to Columbus, to be closer to her 2 daughters and 6 granddaughters!). She also enjoys photography and visiting small art galleries. One thing that might surprise you about Julie is how many homes she built in her time as an Executive Director— “When I say I built almost 300 homes, people look surprised!” In terms of words of wisdom, Julie wants future volunteers to seek to learn more about their community: “Explore Columbus in Habitat neighborhoods!  You’ll see and learn so much about your neighbors and you’ll appreciate people in a different way.”

Habitat is grateful to have you, Julie!

Gracie first got involved with Habitat in 2018, when she heard about the Habitat for Humanity club at her high school. On her first day on site, she had the opportunity to attend a home dedication ceremony, where she got the chance to speak with the homeowner about the impact Habitat had on their life and the lives of their children – “From the beginning, the importance of Habitat’s work and the passion of their volunteers and homeowners was so obvious to me.” Now, Gracie is the president of the Habitat Chapter at Denison University, the school she attends. Denison’s Habitat Chapter volunteers once per month at the Newark Habitat ReStore, in addition to volunteering with other Habitat affiliates during alternative break trips. They have also hosted Playhouse Project builds on campus in recent years!

Throughout her time with Habitat, Gracie has had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat on our new builds, rehabs, and at our ReStore. In her experience at the ReStore in Newark, Gracie finds appreciation for the character of the other volunteers and employees: “The passion and kindness of folks who work [at the ReStore] is so clear, and they do such great work for Habitat and for the community!” Her most memorable accomplishment comes from her experiences with Habitat in high school, when she and the leadership team of their Habitat club put together a fundraiser for Habitat at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an event that now happens annually. In Gracie’s words, “It was such a privilege to be a part of the team, and it was such an incredible experience to see our community come together to support Habitat!” As she has gotten older and has grown as a volunteer, Gracie’s mindset has positively shifted going into every volunteer experience: “There is an opportunity to learn from every person you meet, and that is something that has become truly central to the way I approach volunteering.”

Outside of Habitat, Gracie is a dedicated pre-dental chemistry student at Denison University. She is also involved with Denison’s pre-dental club and community service organization, where she helps coordinate direct service opportunities for other Denison students. In terms of other volunteer experiences, Gracie has been involved with multiple outreach programs for folks facing homelessness, such as Newark Homeless Outreach, along with volunteering with food banks and playing sports with children with special needs. Her hobbies include running (she ran two half marathons last year!), cooking, going on walks with friends, and watercolor painting. For some words of wisdom to future volunteers, Gracie shares her outlook on volunteering: “Volunteering is not only a wonderful opportunity to help your community, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn…having an asset-based mindset is so important when doing service!”

Thanks for everything you do, Gracie!

Mike first got involved with Habitat through 24 Hours of Hockey for Habitat in 2020. He appreciated that work that Habitat does for the community and our mission statement, and soon found himself joining our Habitat Young Professionals (HYP) group after attending one of their events. Mike has been a regular on our 24 Hours of Hockey team and HYP’s evening crew ever since. Outside of Habitat, Mike works for Sauer, a Mechanical company, as Division Manager of Sauer's Building Automation Division called SCS - Sauer Control Systems. He is also involved with the Association of Energy Engineers and U.S. Green Building Council.

Mike describes his experience with 24 Hours of Hockey for Habitat as a lot of fun and very rewarding. His favorite part is getting to know all the people that work for and volunteer with Habitat, as well as “trying to increase [the hockey event’s] exposure and raise a little more money each year for veterans”. In his experience with HYP, the most rewarding part is attending the home dedication ceremony. To Mike, that’s what brings it all together and gives meaning to the work he puts in. He also enjoys seeing all the people who worked on the home— “You might be there at seven at night on a Wednesday, but there’s people there during the day that you get to meet at the ceremony—it’s really an amazing experience.” Mike’s favorite part about volunteering on site is that there’s “always a new tool and a new thing you learn about building a house”, as well as meeting new people.

Mike’s hobbies include hockey and traveling—he is the captain of a hockey team, which he plays for a few nights a week. He is also involved with Hockey Players in Business with some of his teammates from the 24 Hours of Hockey event. One thing that might surprise you to learn about Mike is that he works part-time for the NHL during Blue Jackets games. In terms of some words of wisdom, Mike wants future volunteers to know that Habitat’s site leads are always there to help— “[Site leads] will make you feel comfortable if you’re uncomfortable with doing something…There’s always different levels of labor needed on site and different levels of skill. You don’t have to be an expert, they’ll teach you.”

It’s good to have you on the team, Mike!

Ellen first got involved with Habitat through her connection to Church of the Resurrection when she volunteered to provide food to their volunteer crews, as well as take photos of construction volunteers. In 2018, Ellen joined the Church of the Resurrection Habitat Ministry leadership team, which she co-leads with her husband, Leon, and has been an active Habitat volunteer and supporter ever since. Her first impression of Habitat was one of admiration— “I was humbled by the complex network (government, Habitat affiliates, contractors, volunteers, partner families) in place to work cooperatively to achieve Habitat’s vision.” Before Habitat, Ellen worked for Columbia Gas for 20 years in multiple different leadership roles, and retired as the Director of Marketing for MoreSteam.

In her partnership with Habitat, Ellen has helped develop our L.I.F.E. Learning Lab and coordinated the first Wall Build in the Church of the Resurrection parking lot— “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to involve new volunteers and their children by bringing the construction site to them.” Ellen’s most memorable accomplishment was being a part of the development of the L.I.F.E. Learning Lab, as she helped build it from scratch, and it turned out to be a much bigger project than she originally anticipated. In Ellen’s experience as a volunteer, it’s hard to pick out one specific memory of volunteering to highlight, as each one has been equally “inspiring and heartwarming,” in Ellen’s words.  What makes Habitat a meaningful use of Ellen’s time is rooted in her Catholic faith— “We are called to practice corporal works of mercy to help provide basic necessities to those who need a helping hand.”

Outside of Habitat, Ellen and her husband are food rescue volunteers, and they spend a lot of time with family. Ellen’s hobbies include traveling, gardening, boating, and putting puzzles together with her husband in the winter months. Along with her experiences with Habitat, Ellen shared an inspiring story about her and her husband:

“Last year, my husband was diagnosed with gastric lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy. Today, he is cancer-free, but the road has been challenging. It reminded us that we ALL depend on the community to support us in times of need. Instead of being the ones helping, we were the ones who needed help. The experience has deepened our faith and our commitment to sharing the gifts we’ve been blessed with.”

Thank you for everything you do, Ellen!

Katie first got involved with Habitat in college in 2006, where she worked with affiliates in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana.  After college, she took a break, but seeing the ReStore on Bethel Rd open inspired her to come back! Katie has been volunteering with Habitat MidOhio for three years and has become a regular to the Women Build Crew. Her first impression of Habitat was positive, as the workers she met on her trips in college were always kind— “If you needed help, they would always give you a hand.” Outside of Habitat, Katie is a fourth-grade social studies and math teacher and has been teaching for nine years. She likes to incorporate Habitat into her teaching, like bringing scrap wood pieces from a playhouse kit creation shift and making them into blocks for her students.

One of Katie’s favorite memories from her time with Habitat was when she found a kitten on site during one of her volunteer shifts. She named him after the road she found him on—Innis—and has loved him ever since. Katie’s photo is the two of them together! She also loves framing and will always remember helping raise the walls of Women Build #16. In her volunteer experience, Katie feels that she has grown in her ability to help other volunteers that are new, although she knows that she couldn’t do it without the help of site leads (specifically Alex). Katie has never had the attitude that a woman can’t do construction, since she grew up with two brothers and is by far the “handiest out of both of them”. What makes volunteering a meaningful use of Katie’s time is the fact that she is so hands on— “I love to work with my hands. In addition to that, I’m helping people who need houses and I get to know people, too.” She also enjoys using her math skills on site!

Outside of Habitat, Katie enjoys hiking and traveling in her spare time. Recently, she took a trip out to California and drove through Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon—she enjoys visiting National Parks! As for some Habitat wisdom, Katie wants future volunteers to know that there is always help on site and just how fulfilling volunteering with Habitat can be— “Even if you are unsure of what to do, there will always be someone to help you. It’s a good experience to start from the bones of the house to something that’s totally built!”

Thank you for spending your time with Habitat, Katie!

Maryn regularly began volunteering with Habitat last January on Women Build #16. She has been a supporter of Habitat since her church, twenty years ago, participated in building houses. Her active involvement began a couple summers ago, when she started donating money every year in honor of a family member’s birthday. Her first impression of Habitat was positive because of the partnership between building crews and new homeowners. Maryn worked as a social worker, pastor and hospice chaplain before retiring. 

Maryn would describe her experience as a volunteer as “tremendously meaningful”. She started volunteering with “limited building skills”.  The project lead, Alex, and the Women Build Crew have been encouraging teachers in learning new skills. She describes the women she volunteers with regularly as “amazing, kind, talented, and patient”—Maryn has the utmost respect for them and is “immeasurably thankful” to work alongside them. One of her favorite memories of volunteering with Habitat was putting in the upstairs windows on Women Build #16. This installation required wearing a harness on the porch roof for safety purposes. She described feeling proud when she looked at the windows she helped install. Maryn is learning new things every day: of note, working on pumpjacks, installing siding, and flooring.  Along with the skills she is acquiring, Maryn describes meeting the families of the houses she volunteers on as one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of her volunteer service.  

Outside of Habitat, Maryn runs half marathons and has recently joined Sweet Adeline’s Columbus Women’s Chorus, along with being member of her church choir. She finds joy in music. She also plays guitar and is a songwriter. Her greatest joy is connecting with people.  She encourages people to volunteer with Habitat to contribute to the development of affordable housing for the community.   Maryn wants future volunteers to know that volunteering with Habitat is a rewarding opportunity and a privilege. 

Habitat is privileged to have you, Maryn!

Doyle first heard of Habitat for Humanity back in 1973 while he was in Zaire working with a relief and development organization—a friend of his was working with Millard Fuller and told him about it. Almost a decade later, in 1987, Doyle attended the first organizational meetings for Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio after hearing about it through his church. Doyle’s first impression of Habitat was that he liked the work, and he was impressed by the conscientiousness of the volunteers. About three years ago, after retiring, Doyle decided to finally give Habitat a try, and soon after became a regular with the A-Team. Before Habitat, Doyle was a self-employed civil engineer for more than 25 years and was has also been involved with Samaritans Purse.

In Doyle’s experience as a volunteer, the best part is seeing the effects of the work he and his crew put in—watching the keys of the house being handed off to the homeowner is one of the most rewarding aspects. That, and walking into a lot with just a foundation, then walking out with a finished house. Doyle has learned new construction skills while volunteering and loves that he gets to share life with “a few guys [he] gets along with well”. What makes Habitat a meaningful use of Doyle’s time is hearing the stories of the people who receive the houses that he volunteers on, as well as the fact that providing service for others is rewarding to him.

Outside of Habitat, Doyle is involved with his church, Orange Friends Church, doing building upkeep and being a part of the worship team. He also volunteers with Delaware County Source Point, where he does house repairs for the elderly. One of his biggest hobbies at the moment is helping his son remodel his house in Nashville. Something that you may be surprised to learn about Doyle is that he is leaving to go to Chad soon to teach English for three months with WEC International. Some words of wisdom that Doyle wants future volunteers to remember is to not be afraid to come out and be willing to try new things you’ve never done before— “You’d be surprised what you can learn with the help of crew leads!”

Habitat appreciates you, Doyle!

Dave first got involved with Habitat around 15 years ago after he heard about it at his church. His first impression of Habitat wasn’t the best—so much so, he needed a 15-year break! After Dave retired in 2018, he decided to give us another try, and it was much better this time around. He started out “sporadically doing some Deconstruction, then some new home construction, and a couple of repair jobs”. He now volunteers regularly with the A-Team doing mostly new home construction. Before retirement and Habitat, Dave was a Construction Manager for several environmental services companies. Although the work was rewarding, it kept him away from home far too much.

In his time volunteering, Dave’s most memorable accomplishments are the abundance of new skills he has learned, as well as the fact that he has “made some good friends”. Dave treats volunteering like a job, which he means positively— “I try to be dependable and do the best job I can while I’m there.” A particular memory that sticks out to Dave is the first home dedication he attended, as it “really brought home what this organization is all about. Very moving.”

Outside of Habitat, Dave is involved with his church’s food pantry ministry, which entails getting food from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective in Grove City back to their pantry on Cleveland Ave. He also teaches first-third graders during services at his church. In terms of hobbies and interests, Dave plays the guitar and the harmonica, and he likes football, hockey, and most things automotive. Some things that might surprise you about Dave is that he drives a “really fast Ford Mustang” and he is a Buffalo Bills fan.

Here are some words of wisdom that Dave wants future volunteers to remember: “Habitat for Humanity offers affordable housing to great people who are struggling and who likely would never be able to qualify for conventional home ownership. Helping them is very uplifting. In addition, most of us learn new skills we might never learn otherwise."

Habitat thanks you for all that you do, Dave!

Eugene first became involved with Habitat in 2015 after a friend suggested he look into the organization—after reading a little bit about us, he says that he realized that we are “one big family”. Eugene is a Habitat homeowner, but decided to continue on as a volunteer on the Homeowner Selection Committee. His first impression of Habitat was one of excitement, as he realized that he made the right decision “toward stepping out on faith” and helping those in need after meeting other Habitat employees and volunteers. His first impression made him confident in giving so much of his time to Habitat’s mission.

Eugene describes his experience as a volunteer as peaceful— “being able to help families that are in need touches my heart because I’ve been there and I understand the need for help.” He explains that being able to relate to the families is what allows his heart to be “filled with joy”. A memory that stands out for Eugene in his experience as a volunteer was his first Rock the Block. Although he did not know what to expect at first, he “enjoyed the feeling of helping those that are not as mobile…clean their yard, cut grass, etc.”. Along with the fulfillment of helping, Eugene loved the cookout. In his words, “food is the way to a man’s heart”.

Outside of Habitat, Eugene attends church every Sunday at Vineyard Columbus. His hobbies include riding his electric bike and hanging out with friends and family. Eugene believes that it may be surprising to learn that he is very “open-hearted, peaceful, and understanding”, and he loves to travel and explore. In his time volunteering with Habitat, Eugene states that he has grown in understanding of others, and he wants future volunteers to remember to be “open minded and understanding”.

Eugene also wants to take the time to acknowledge Aubrey and Lisa— “They are amazing…they make the [homeownership] experience very easy and very welcoming due to their great hospitality.”

Thanks for everything you do, Eugene!

Joe first became involved with Habitat back in high school with a new build that his class volunteered to be a part of. He now volunteers as a regular Playhouse Project Captain. Joe’s first impression of Habitat was— “How cool is this type of program, the homeowners get educated on construction and homeownership while putting in their sweat equity.” Although his first experience with Habitat was in high school, Joe has been the most active for the past four years. Before Habitat, he also volunteered with Community Kitchen, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Faith Mission, and was also the manager for Red Cross of Central Ohio.

In his experience as a volunteer, Joe believes that the best part with volunteering for the Playhouse Project is “you get to work beside so many different organizations. Networking at the highest level.” He also thinks the deconstructions are fun, as long as “you don’t break the items going to the ReStore”. One memory Joe recalls in his experience as a volunteer was when he was tasked to dig the ditch for the downspout to drain out onto the street— “I was not prepared for how labor intense that was! I think my hands still have calluses from that day.” He describes his most memorable accomplishment of his volunteer service as “being able to talk to someone about the Playhouse Project without tearing up”. Describing the big reveal of the Playhouses to other volunteers is always an emotional story, but Joe has now mastered the art of holding back the tears.

Outside of Habitat, Joe’s hobbies include watching his kids do amazing things in this world, responding to emergency issues on the NextDoor app, and DIYs. He also has a fragrance hobby, which he says is expensive, but worth it. Joe says that it may be surprising to know that all the things he does, he does for the story to tell someone about— “Makes my future book even longer!”

Habitat appreciates you, Joe!

Nancy’s first involvement with Habitat was shopping at and donating to the Restore. In March of this year, she got word of the Women Build projects, and the rest is history. Her first impression of Habitat was very positive— “Members of the Women Build team and project managers Alex, April, and Gail provided a lot of guidance to help me acclimate to the use of various power tools. I learned a lot in a very short period of time.” She has become a regular to the Women Build crew.

Along with the Women Build, Nancy has volunteered to help with the Playhouse Project and our annual flower sale. Her most memorable volunteer experience was with Construction Project Lead April, installing railing on the back steps of a house— “I really appreciate the trust she had in me to handle the project with very little oversight.” Experiences like that one have helped Nancy to become confident in her ability to accomplish tasks that she has never worked on before.

Outside of volunteering with Habitat, Nancy also volunteers with Mid-Ohio Food Collective. She enjoys jogging, playing racquetball, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Nancy finds meaning in working with other “fantastically smart and capable women”—she believes that volunteering with Habitat provides a sense of purpose, as you are able to see the results of the work you are doing in providing affordable housing options for families.

Thank you for joining our volunteer team, Nancy!

Catherine first got involved with Habitat in high school with an affiliate in Lansing, Michigan, working for the ReStore. After that, she joined a Habitat for Humanity campus chapter in college with the affiliate in Kokomo, Indiana. Finally, she made it to Columbus after graduation to start her career, and began volunteering with Habitat MidOhio! With almost seven years of Habitat experience, Catherine recalls that what really struck her about Habitat was the strong sense of community: “Each affiliate seems to have evolved to optimally serve their community and utilize their communities’ resources…Even though Habitat is a large nonprofit that works internationally, each affiliate feels incredibly personal and has built an inviting community.”

One of the things that Catherine loves most about volunteering with Habitat is that there are “endless opportunities to learn and try new things.” She recalls that her most memorable moments in her volunteer service have been seeing homeowners walk into their home for the first time once the interior starts to come together: “I think that’s the point where it really starts to feel real, and people can picture them and their families living in this beautiful home that they helped build.” Catherine describes the impact that Habitat has had on her life as tremendous, noting, “In addition to making safe, affordable housing a reality for people, Habitat creates an atmosphere where someone like me can come do things that I never thought I could do and meet people that come from walks of life very different from mine.”

Outside of Habitat, Catherine works as a test engineer at Honda and tutors college students. Her hobbies include spending time outside and going on road trips. In terms of Habitat wisdom, Catherine wants future volunteers to remember to “always come to site ready to learn. The construction leads and regulars have so much knowledge and experience—there are a lot of opportunities to learn if you come ready for it.”

Thank you for your work and dedication to Habitat, Catherine!

Ross first got involved with Habitat about a year ago. After retiring, Ross knew of Habitat from acquaintances and wanted to get involved, so he went online to sign up. Initially, Ross signed up for miscellaneous repair projects, which he enjoyed, as they sometimes reminded him of service projects done with his daughter years ago. On one of those repairs, he met some of the Tuesday & Thursday Crew members, and they recruited him to join the crew! 

So far, Ross has really enjoyed learning about home construction through his work with Habitat. Like many on the Tuesday & Thursday Crew, he has an engineering background and enjoys being able to put his skills to use doing meaningful work. Ross reports that the most satisfying part of volunteering with Habitat is getting to meet the future homeowner— “that’s what it’s all about!” 

Outside of Habitat, Ross enjoys woodworking, gardening, traveling, and visiting family. He and his extended family share their grandfather’s summer house in Maine, where they are currently trying to bring some apple orchards back to life. 

When asked about his advice to future Habitat volunteers, Ross says, “Just give it a try and jump in! One of the really cool things about doing the repair projects early on was meeting someone who didn’t have any construction experience and to see her just jump in. We had nothing in common other than both wanting to give back.” 

Bruce is also a relatively new member of the Tuesday & Thursday Crew, and we’re happy to have him on the team. Bruce’s first volunteer shift was on a new build back in July. He recounts, “During my first volunteer experience at Habitat, I had the chance to build Bird Boxes/Soffit Boxes on a new build site.  I was a little nervous I would mess up the final product, but with the support of the Volunteer/Site supervisor, I was happy with the end result. I enjoyed the overall experience so much that I decided to be a regular volunteer.” With the help of one of our site leads, Bruce got connected to the Tuesday & Thursday Crew and has been volunteering with them ever since! 

He reflects, “I was surprised to find out that many of these individuals have been volunteering with Habitat for many years, some for more than a decade!  If there are construction skills you lack, the volunteers and site leads are very patient and willing to transfer their knowledge.  It’s a great working environment!”

Prior to volunteering with Habitat, Bruce worked in the automotive industry for 35 years and spent 22 of those years in Michigan. He and his wife returned to Columbus to be close to family and to support the care of their aging parents. Outside of Habitat, Bruce enjoys traveling in his family’s RV and various outdoor activities, including learning soaring (flying gliders)! Bruce has also spent time on church mission trips to Mexicali, Mexico, where he saw how much the act of volunteering can impact the volunteers themselves, not just the recipients of the services. 

To qualify for The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, volunteers must contribute at least 4,000 hours of service during their lifetime. Those Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include: Terry Baughman, Howard Baulch, Vince Bednar, Dave Bezaire, Mike Bloomfield, Rea Buchanan, Allan Burkman, Ken & Sue Crawford, Bill Darlage, Jim Dupriest, John Fisher, Joe Foley, Ben Freudenreich, Steve Gutgesell, Larry Hutchison, Tim Kolodziej, Dale Krummen, Bob Lentz, Dick Litfin, Evy Locklin, George Lybarger. Jim Meeth, Barb Metz, Jerry Minturn, Greg Myers, Dave Norman Tom Oswald, Helen Pestel, Tim Richardson, Jim Rosing, Greg Schmidt, Dave Seifert, Greg Smith, Don Spoelker, Terry Stohr, Doug Teske, Dick Troendly, Craig Vette, Jim Whitmer, and Dave Zuehlke. 
 
We are humbled and incredibly grateful for their contributions in helping shape the affiliate to where it is today! 

Aila Gomi first became aware of habitat as an organization in high school, but didn’t really get involved till this year! Over this year, she has been an incredible addition to our volunteer team! Aila volunteers on our evening crews, as well as in the ReStore. As part of her 2022 resolutions, she set herself the goal to volunteer with habitat at least once a month! Aila was always impressed with Habitat’s mission, but she did not fully understand the impact Habitat could have until she bought her own house and learned more about the home buying process and all the challenges that come along with it! Her favorite part of volunteering with Habitat is getting to learn new skills! During her most recent volunteer shift she learned how to caulk for the first time. Although painting is her favorite part of a house project!

Outside of Habitat, Aila also volunteers with animal shelters, food pantries, and Alvis. Her first experience as a volunteer was taking part in Hurricane Katrina disaster relief in Mississippi. She is also part of the US Japan Council (USJC) Outreach and Allyship subcommittee where she coordinates programming to help other members within USJC learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion! Also, she is currently training for a triathlon at the end of July! She also loves to crochet and make adorable characters! 

Aila has learned so much through volunteering. Her most memorable accomplishment was getting to be a part of the last volunteer shift for a home and getting to see it completed. Words of wisdom she would like to share with future volunteers is “DO IT! It is so much fun and you will meet some amazing people.”