Volunteer Spotlight

A native of Long Island, New York, Chris moved to the Wilmington area after living in Mooresville, North Carolina for several years. In 2013, he joined the ReStore Team by volunteering as a warehouse assistant at the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore. Chris always lends a helping hand and assists with receiving donations, loading customer purchases, and arranging the sales floor. When he is not volunteering, Chris works at a local restaurant, bowls in a league and enjoys lifting weights at the gym.

Robert is from Chicago, Illinois, where he volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity Chicago affiliate for 3 years while also working at AT&T.  After retiring, he moved to the Wilmington area to escape the cold winters. Robert is passionate about serving his community and signed up to volunteer with the Downtown Cape Fear Habitat ReStore in 2014. Robert keeps the ReStore organized and running smoothly, and also participates in Habitat’s Homeowner Services Committee. When he is not donating his time to service, Robert enjoys cycling and discovering new sports to try.

Cheryl began volunteering with the Downtown Cape Fear Habitat ReStore in 2011 and focuses on customer service, sales and merchandising. Her favorite part about volunteering is chatting with customers and learning about their repurposing projects. Cheryl is a full time prenatal respiratory therapist and finds the time to volunteer on one of her days off: “Being from Atlanta, I love Jimmy Carter and I feel Habitat is a great cause to be a part of.” When she is not working at the hospital, or volunteering at the ReStore, Cheryl likes to stroll along Wilmington’s Riverwalk.

Glynda moved around the world as part of a military family before finally settling down in the Wilmington area as a teenager. After attending high school locally, she went on to graduate from UNCW with degrees in Sociology and Anthropology which led to a career in the medical management field. After retiring, Glynda returned to academia and completed a degree in Interior Design from Cape Fear Community College. She now puts her diploma to good use by helping design vignettes, refurbish and upcycle furniture and organize the showroom. Glynda has been volunteering with the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore since 2013, and got involved because she “likes working with a diverse group of people and contributing to the mission of Cape Fear Habitat.” When she is not donating her time to service, Glynda enjoys taking art courses.

Frank is originally from Clayton, New York, a small town where the St. Lawrence River flows into Lake Ontario. He moved to the Wilmington area at the age of ten just in time to witness Hurricane Hazel: “I can remember boats floating in the street off of Oleander Drive.” After retiring from GE Nuclear, Frank was looking for a way to spend his newfound time and signed up to volunteer with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity in 2012:“It goes both ways, I stay busy and get to help a great cause.” Frank currently helps out in the service area of the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore where he appraises and tests appliances, electronics and tools. When he is not volunteering, Frank likes to go fishing or ride his mountain bike around Brunswick Nature Park.

Dick is originally from Portland, Oregon, and spent is young adult life in the Pacific Northwest. After graduating from Seattle University, Dick enlisted in the military and served his country overseas. He then went on to complete a 33 year career with the Federal Government. After retiring, Dick moved to Wilmington, and in 2004, signed on to volunteer with the Downtown Cape Fear Habitat ReStore. Dick not only assists the ReStore with “a little bit of everything,” he also volunteers on the Habitat Construction Crew. When he is not donating his time to Habitat, Dick enjoys reading, playing golf and volunteering with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.

Maria began volunteering with the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore in the spring of 2016, and supports the ReStore’s Donation Coordinator with logistical operations. Maria previously spent 28 years with the World Bank in Washington D.C. as an Information Analyst before retiring and relocating to Wilmington in 2015. She first learned of Habitat for Humanity’s mission while serving at the World Bank, but never had enough free time to donate to a project. As Maria recalls, “I told myself once I retire, I want to volunteer with Habitat because I think it is very important to give back to the community”. Maria loves to travel, and visits her hometown of Iloilo in the Philippines every year. Her dream vacation would be an African Safari. In the Cape Fear region, Maria enjoys kayaking the Intercoastal Waterway, walking on the beach, and reading.

Rhiannon is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and has been volunteering with the Ogden ReStore since 2014. She does an excellent job shelving donations and keeping the ReStore neat, tidy and organized. Her favorite part of volunteering is assisting customers and hanging out with co-workers. When she is not donating her time to helping at the ReStore, Rhiannon enjoys playing in the sand, swimming at the YWCA and cheerleading.

Gaye started her volunteer work with the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore in the summer of 2016. She helps receive and organize donations, design end caps, and assist customers. Gaye grew up in Wilmington before attending school at UNC where she majored in Education. After graduation, she spent 25 years teaching in public schools around the state. Gaye returned to Wilmington after retiring and decided to volunteer her time to ReStore, “It’s fun being here on a regular basis. I’ve volunteered long enough now that people know me, and I know them, and I look forward to the atmosphere of the ReStore. Everybody is so welcoming.” When Gaye is not volunteering, she enjoys a strong cup of coffee, a comfy chair, and a good book.

Cally began volunteering with the Ogden Cape Fear Habitat ReStore in 2010 after moving from Rochester, New York to Wilmington. Her favorite part of volunteering is getting to know the affiliate’s partner families who spend time in ReStore completing sweat equity projects. She also enjoys meeting new people, helping customers, and supporting cashiers when the checkout line is busy. Cally is very involved with Habitat and has participated in three Global Village trips where she has helped build homes in Trinidad & Tobago, Nepal, and Bali. When she is not dedicating her time to Habitat, Cally enjoys working in the garden and hitting the golf course.