Just like a peg in a well-drilled hole, David Heidel found his perfect fit at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Two years ago, he saw a notice requesting volunteers for the new ReStore location opening in Williamsburg, the second store for the local nonprofit Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.
Already a woodworking hobbyist, Heidel dove into volunteering and quickly became a valuable asset to the project.
For his commitment, Heidel was honored as the Volunteer of the Year for the area affiliate.
After receiving local recognition, he was unaware that store manager Steve Russel wrote and sent a nomination to the board for the statewide organization. Habitat for Humanity Virginia gave Heidel the Outstanding ReStore Volunteer Award for the year, which was awarded at a conference in Richmond on Monday.
The ReStore is a home improvement, decorating and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, accessories, appliances and building materials to the public below retail prices. All of the proceeds are then used to build and sell affordable homes to low-income families.
Heidel usually spends three nine-hour days at the store every week. Store assistant manager Tina McCabe said he has clocked about 900 hours in total, often staying later than employees to lend a hand.
During his shifts, Heidel helps customers, processes donations and unloads trucks. He puts his homeowner expertise toward repair work on various items to prepare them for sale, but projects for the store are his favorite.
“It’s the kind of work I enjoy doing,” Heidel said.
He most recently completed a new display for a shipment of doors, constructing a rack to showcase the materials to potential buyers.
McCabe said Heidel’s extensive knowledge of the store also aids her in her management role.
“We have absolutely everything under the sun – including the kitchen sink,” McCabe said.
Heidel, who has been there since the renovation stages and day one of the store opening, is a valuable resource in determining what items are and how much they are worth, she said.
“I’ll go to Dave and he just knows everything,” McCabe said. “If he doesn’t know he’ll find out in ten minutes.”
Not one to extol his own accomplishments, Heidel said he enjoyed Monday’s banquet for the local chapter’s recognition. In addition to his award, the Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg group was honored for Highest House Production in its population division.
The local affiliate has built, renovated and repaired more than 240 homes since its founding in 1985. This is the first year they have participated with Habitat for Humanity Virginia.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, visit their website.
