Volunteering for the Bigger Picture

Volunteering for the Bigger Picture

Walking into a Milwaukee Habitat ReStore, you may notice smiling faces in blue ReStore shirts moving furniture or working at the register. These are ReStore volunteers who make an impact in our community by giving their time at one of our three ReStores.

Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers whose proceeds are used to build safe, affordable homes in our community. They sell new and gently used furniture, building materials, appliances, and home accessories to the public at 50%-75% below retail. 

ReStore volunteers assist staff in donation collection, product display, customer service, cashiering, and more, all while having a little fun and impacting the Habitat mission.

“Today I sold someone a gas can and two santa caps. There aren’t too many places you can go and find so many different kinds of things,” ReStore volunteer Wren said. “Everybody who comes in here is happy when they leave. It’s fun to volunteer here. It’s fun to work here because you know it’s all going for such a good cause.”

Many ReStore volunteers are motivated by the Habitat mission and want to be part of bringing safe, affordable housing to Milwaukee families.

“What I’ve realized is that everything we do here goes toward the bigger picture. That’s the power of it,” ReStore volunteer Cathy said.

Not only does Cathy see the benefit that volunteering brings to the Habitat mission, but she also sees the positive effects it has on her and other volunteers.

“This is the right place and the right time. If anyone wants to come here and have a good heart when they come, it will be filled… at the end of shift,” Cathy said.

With the help of ReStore volunteers, Milwaukee ReStores raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to build safe, affordable homes in our community. To volunteers like Cathy and Wren, volunteering at Habitat ReStore is about the whole picture.

“I love volunteering for the ReStore. I love showing up every week at the ReStore,” Wren said. “The managers here are fantastic and so fun to work with. The customers are so happy to find the bargains they find here. I feel so good about adding to a cause that is so good at providing affordable housing for deserving people. It’s just a win win win.”

Listen to ReStore Volunteers talk about why they volunteer: