From Build Sites to ReStore—Les' Volunteer Journey

Les started volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in 1996 while working as a registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern hospital. Dennis, his partner doctor, joined him on the build site each month. While some skills from the hospital carried over—"I knew how to use an oscillating saw from cutting off casts"—some other skills were new to Les.

Having this firsthand experience, Les now tells new volunteers that they're welcome whether they have no skills or are master carpenters. Staff, AmeriCorps members, and other volunteers help newcomers (and regulars!) learn and practice.

Construction field manager Terra was an AmeriCorps member when Les started volunteering, and then she became the site supervisor Les worked with most often. "Our group needed a name," explains Les. "So we became Terra's Grunts." Les soon earned the nickname "gadget guy" because he brought more tools from home for others to try on site. Les and Terra's Grunts have worked on houses in Blaine, St. Paul, Roseville, north Minneapolis, and beyond.

Les (first row on the left) with a group of regular volunteers.

Les retired from the hospitals in 2017, but his volunteer journey was far from over. Deciding it was time to try something new, he started volunteering at the Minneapolis ReStore each week. And Dennis joined him! Since starting at ReStore, Les has learned even more new skills: customer service and cashiering.

Though volunteering is fun and educational for Les, those aren't the only reasons he volunteers. Les is passionate about the mission behind Twin Cities Habitat and ReStore, believing that people need and deserve stable homes. "Hopefully we can make a place of safety for families," he says. "I live to volunteer and volunteer to live. I like to do something meaningful." Les also volunteers with other organizations every week, sometimes more than 40 hours total, clearly showing his support by investing his time to make a difference.

While Les sometimes still volunteers on build sites, he's become a valued member of the ReStore team. The "gadget guy" even helped ReStore get set up with a printer and walkie-talkies. And Les has volunteered with all kinds of people, from high school students to other retirees. "The people working around here are nice, helpful, and dependable," he adds. "Everyone contributes something unique."