Meet Core Volunteer Zeke

Last month, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver welcomed Zeke to the Core Volunteer team! Zeke started volunteering on construction sites many years ago and now helps at the Habitat Denver ReStore. He refers to Habitat’s work as “real-time philanthropy”

“It’s a great feeling to look up at a wall of a Habitat home and see the whole thing covered with siding,” says Zeke. “At the ReStore, I get to see and touch donations immediately. I see happy customers carrying their purchases out to their cars.”

Zeke supports the ReStore’s new Furniture Repair Program, where the ReStore buys furniture that might be physically broken or missing hardware at reduced prices. Zeke and other volunteers fix the furniture so it can be sold to the public. The role piqued his interest because his father was a cabinetmaker.

“It could be as simple as finding missing bolts, or it could be a challenge working through imported metric parts,” says Zeke.

No matter the task, he enjoys being part of launching a program that helps the community.

“A lot of people right now are not in a position to pay full retail price for furniture, many people who have lost their jobs, and if they can get a deal at the ReStore, it’s good for them.”

Zeke is an avid scuba diver, and he spent his professional career as an engineer for Denver Water. He put his engineering skills to use as a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders, where he focused on sanitation efforts and clean water in other countries.

When asked what he would say to someone considering volunteering with Habitat, Zeke responded, “I’m a Core Volunteer because on a Habitat job, I have the freedom and the responsibility for both productivity and quality. If that appeals to you, wait here. I will go get you a volunteer application.”

Learn more about becoming a Core Volunteer