Office Volunteers - Habitat East Bay's Unsung Heroes
“Our office volunteers are like gold to us,” says Andrew
Goldsworthy, Fund Development Coordinator. “Our office is a more
colorful place with the many personalities.”
Habitat East Bay’s office volunteers, our unsung heroes, greatly aid
the organization by doing the behind-the-scenes work. Our current
office team includes Genevieve Adams, Cecile Burfeind, Jamie
Davis, Katie Glynn, John Henry, Laurel King, Dorothy McDonald,
and Malini Shekar. These volunteers commit several hours a week
to assist with mailings, database entry, and other important duties.
In this way, each volunteer contributes his or her unique skills and
experience. Even though all the office volunteers have their own
responsibilities, they work as a team to tackle major projects, such
as preparing mass mailings.
While the office volunteers are serious about their assignments,
they add a joyous dynamic to the office. Goldsworthy, who works
closely with many of the office volunteers, is especially pleased with
their contribution. “Aside from doing many of the thankless tasks
that are essential to the operation of Habitat East Bay, our regular
office volunteers keep the atmosphere of the office upbeat and
energized with their treats and anecdotes. Even if Superman wanted to volunteer for me, I wouldn’t trade our regular volunteers
for his super powers.”
Genevieve Adams recently moved from Canada to the East Bay with her husband, and she really loves it here. When Gen first started in the office, she helped the Volunteer Department and its database. “Gen has been such a great help with cleaning up our database,” says J.P. Lor, Volunteer Coordinator. “With her help, I am able to focus on innovating our programs!” Since then, she has shifted her focus to donor development and her “true calling” of construction administration. “I feel very appreciated in this office! Everyone has gone out of his or her way to make me feel welcomed, and it makes it easy to work here. I also love to see how my work contributes to the building of homes. Everything counts!” On her free time, Gen enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring Northern California
Cecile Burfeind volunteered at the Mt. Diablo Habitat office before the affiliate merger back in May of last year. Now settled in at our main office in Oakland, Cecile spreads her time volunteering for everyone who needs help. “I was raised in a family of social workers and people with the philosophy that the only way to lead your life was to include helping others.” With a strong devotion to philanthropy, Cecile insists not to be thanked for her time and effort, even as office staff tries to express their infinite gratitude. Besides being a great help, Cecile provides many anecdotes about her life, her family, and her travels. Andrew Goldsworthy shares, “Cecile has spent much of her life traveling around the world and has the amazing stories to prove it. But the thing that is so special about Cecile is that despite all of her experiences she seems very at home here at Habitat East Bay helping to make the dreams of low-income families a reality. This office would drown under a pile of work without Cecile’s help!”
Originally from Washington State, Jamie Davis moved to California for graduate school, pursuing a Master’s degree in international relations. Too busy to volunteer a full day on the construction site, Jamie contributes her free time aiding the Homeowner Relations department in the office. “Jamie is friendly, smart, and takes direction well,” says Gaylen Mohre, Homeowner Relations Coordinator. “She’s a great volunteer because she is willing and ready to take on whatever I throw her way.” Jamie was pleasantly surprised by the casual atmosphere of our office. “I had a preconceived notion that it would be in an office building with everyone wearing business attire. But this was not the case. I enjoyed the fact that everyone seemed pretty laidback and that Habitat was located in a church.”
John Henry applauds the work of HEB. “Habitat East Bay adds value to people’s lives in a very supportive manner. It is largely a self-help organization, which I think is wonderful.” John worked for the federal government for over 30 years. After he retired, John came to HEB as a construction volunteer, “swinging a hammer” for several weeks. Later, he decided to help out in the office, doing data-entry for the volunteer department. Since then, John has very much enjoyed the environment of the office and feels great satisfaction from the work that he is doing. “John comes in right on time without fail,” reveals J.P. Lor. “I appreciate that he takes his time with his work. It shows me that he is willing to go the extra mile to produce quality work.” During his free time, he likes to spend time with his family, make music, and travel.
Laurel King helps the volunteer department maintain its database, allowing us to track volunteer hours and appreciate our superb volunteers. J.P. Lor shares, “Laurel is a wonderful volunteer. She learns quickly but paces herself to do a thorough job.” Laurel worked in Silicon Valley for 22 years in accounting and information technology. After her retirement, Laurel wanted to volunteer for Habitat East Bay. She first volunteered a couple times on the construction site with her church, building on the Thrivent Builds house at our Edes Avenue development. However, she thought that she could contribute her greatest strengths in the office. Laurel strongly supports Habitat’s cause. “Homeownership is important for family and community stability. I was fortunate to have family help me buy my home, especially now that I’m retired. I would like to see more people able to do the same.”
Dorothy McDonald is the go-to gal of the Development and Finance Departments. Having mastered the donor database, Dorothy helps streamline operations and has innovated our programs. “When I think about volunteers who really make a difference, Dorothy is the first person that comes to mind," shares Sue Howell, donor development officer. In addition to her expertise, Dorothy offers her positive attitude and wonderful culinary skills, bringing delicious treats to share with the entire staff. “I feel fortunate to have found Habitat, to share the skills I have with a worthy cause and wonderful people who make me feel that even the smallest thing I do is appreciated and worthwhile.”
Previous Featured Volunteers
