Upstanding Volunteers Spreading Smiles for Habitat for Humanity
/Habitat for Humanity ReStore may sell refurbished items but it could be labelled a happiness factory thanks to volunteers David Macleod and Keir Lewin.
(left to right) Keir Lewin, Christina Skuce, David Macleod and Craig Meridith. Habitat for Humanity accepts volunteers for setting up displays, processing donated products, providing customer service, repairing furniture and more. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Macleod has volunteered for the ReStore for almost a year, starting back in September 2020. Lewin, an 18-year-old Kenner student, had completed his last day of volunteering Friday after spending the entire summer with the ReStore.
Both men have been taken under the wing of social worker Craig Meridith who has worked with special needs people for over a decade.
"The positivity on them is unbelievable,” explained Meridith. “That’s what makes my job fun. David and Keir bring nothing but fun and a positive attitude to the table and they want to learn.”
“They are an incredible part of our Habitat family and they make it possible for us to raise funds to build more affordable homes in the community,” said Christina Skuce, Habitat director of Philanthropy and Communications.
Macleod arranges and organizes the home decoration section that ranges from kitchen utensils, dishware, movies, paintings and more. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Staff and customers have noted the positive attitude that both volunteers carried which has been contagious to anyone who talks to them.
“Listening to their passion and how proud they are working at the ReStore is incredible,” explained Skuce. ”I was tearing up earlier, listening to David saying how happy he is to be here. They have the best attitude, they’re happy and everyone on staff loves them.”
Lewin was born in Toronto but was moved to Peterborough at a very young age. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
