Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity announcement.
Closing out another year, we are thrilled to celebrate our Weekday Regular Volunteers, a group of 54 individuals that are on site or in stores with us on a weekly basis. This amazing cohort contributed more than 40% of all volunteer hours in 2023. At their holiday celebration, it was an honor to recognize the following folks for outstanding service this year.
Brian Wester – Aging in Place Volunteer of the Year | A long-time volunteer in construction, Brian has been a strong asset in the last couple of years helping with AIP in finish carpentry, siding, and whatever else needs doing. AIP Repair Manager, Peter, enjoys having Brian as his right-hand-man, crediting Brian for teaching him the proper way to hang siding.
Linda Wilson – Store Volunteer of the Year | Working 126 out of the last 326 days, Linda always gives 110%, but this year took that up a notch by single handedly tackling a major project sorting and building cabinets at the Lakewood Store and stepping in to lead volunteer groups with furniture builds at the Tacoma Store.
Karen Gauthier – “Rookie” Volunteer of the Year | Karen first volunteered with Tacoma Habitat in July 2022 when she helped raise the first walls at her daughter’s Habitat home. Since then, Karen has dedicated nearly every Thursday to new construction. Karen amassed over 200 volunteer hours in 2023, the 7th highest total.
Kim Lockhart – Volunteer of the Year | A volunteer since 2018, Kim sometimes flies under the radar. Because she works full time, she is only on site on Saturdays, but she is there nearly every week. When the construction sites were closed to volunteers during the spring of 2020, she bought lunch for the crew members who were working solo. When volunteers were invited back that June, she sent an email to express her joy in returning: “WHEE! I’M SO EXCITED!”
Since it’s inception, Habitat has been a volunteer-driven organization. We are grateful for everyone that joins us in service, whether in the office or Stores and/or on the build site. Thank you!
