Paul and Sue McNelly got started volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in March of 2022 after talking with one of Sue's colleagues while they were serving with Feed My Starving Children. They haven't looked back since.
Sue McNelly putting together a wall with the Xcel Retiree Regular Crew
Before they retired, Paul worked for the State Department of Agriculture, working with fertilizer and pesticide regulation. Sue worked for Xcel Energy doing mainly substation and engineering. It was there that Sue met some of the people who volunteered on the Xcel Retiree Regular Crew for Twin Cities Habitat. (A Regular Crew is a group of volunteers that are committed to volunteering regularly together—it's a great way to build community and make a big difference with Habitat!)
Sue and Paul decided to try volunteering with the crew at the Panel Plant, where Habitat volunteers put together walls that will be delivered to Habitat home-build sites. After spending time in the panel plant, they were hooked.
"We really liked what we saw and wanted to do more," Sue said. So, they started helping out even more frequently than the two times each month at the Panel Plant.
Prior to joining the Regular Crew, Paul and Sue's construction experience was mostly from doing projects on their own house. Now, I think it's safe to call them Panel Plant experts. However, even Paul and Sue said that they still learn something new every day that they spend on site. Each day spent volunteering with Habitat brings new challenges and hurdles, but that's part of what makes the volunteering experience unique.
Paul McNelly and another Xcel Retiree Regular Crew member working on a wall
One of the things that Sue enjoys about the Xcel retirees in particular is getting a chance to interact with more of the former power plant workers and also to reconnect with colleagues that she was already familiar with. Compared to other non-profit work that they had done, Paul mentioned how much they both appreciate the variety of duties they get when volunteering with Habitat. Additionally, they mentioned the joy they get from working alongside Habitat AmeriCorps members onsite.
"Watching them learn and grow, or even helping you out, and getting to hear their stories is a highlight," Paul said.
Anything that you want to learn about onsite is fair game as well. Paul and Sue spoke about how they appreciate how open the Site Supervisors are to teaching them new skills—all you need to do is ask.
When asked why they think it's important to volunteer individually and to donate to Habitat's mission, they each spoke about a deep commitment to giving back and how that was passed down from their parents.
"After my dad passed away, my mom volunteered and donated to many different causes that were close to her heart," Paul recalled. Our regular volunteers are essential to our day-to-day operations, and people like Paul and Sue are great examples for the rest of us to follow.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering on a Regular Crew or signing up for an individual volunteer opportunity, click on the banner below. If you (or someone you know) are a retiree, check out our Guide to Volunteering in Retirement. We look forward to seeing you on site!