Benji Bergstrand, middle, introduces Dave Miller, left, and Earl Hofstetter, right, as statewide Habitat for Humanity volunteer honorees at Wednesday’s mayoral press briefing.
Jacob Espinosa | The Lima News
LIMA — Earl Hofstetter and Dave Miller will head to Columbus this Friday to receive recognition as statewide volunteers of the year for Habitat for Humanity.
Hofstetter and Miller both said they do not volunteer at build sites or HFH’s ReStore for recognition, but it makes it all feel worth it.
“I get a lot of satisfaction out of supporting a worthy organization and helping to build homes, prepare roofs and things like that,” Miller said. “It’s very interesting because lots of different types of materials come in, and we work with a great group of people so it’s just an enjoyable time.”
The two volunteers have a combined 25 years of service and have worked thousands of hours for Habitat.
“They usually just pick one, but we submitted them together because we couldn’t do it without either one of them,” ReStore manager Benji Bergstrand said at Wednesday’s mayoral press briefing.
Bergstrand called Hofstetter Habitat’s “fix-it guy” and Miller the leader of the processing area.
“God has been good to me through the years that I’ve worked, and it’s sort of a response to the blessings I have received in life,” Hofstetter said about why he volunteers. “I picked Habitat because I was involved with construction before I retired. Being on the construction crew for Saturdays was a good fit for me, and I’ve been there close to 11 years now.”
Bergstrand added, “If you’ve ever seen ReStore’s saw sign, that was Earl. We just told him the idea, and he did it. Dave is our general, and if we get a group of volunteers in he will have them busy and productive, and they will ask to work with him every time they come back.”
Hofstetter put out an appeal for volunteers.
“If you’re getting close to retirement, plan to volunteer,” he said. “There’s nothing better to do with your life than volunteer, whether it’s at ReStore or any other places here in Lima. It’s just a good feeling to give back to your community.”
For more information on Habitat for Humanity, visit habitatlima.org.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
