Habitat For Humanity Grey Bruce is celebrating one of their longtime volunteers for reaching a significant milestone.
Volunteer Gary Varsava has reached 1000 build days with the organization.
Varsava started volunteering in the year 2000 on a build in the area when he was still working full-time.
“Gary brings with him a variety of leadership skills, supervisory skills, as well as homebuilding skills,” says Habitat For Humanity Grey Bruce’s Executive Director Greg Fryer. “He’s great to us, in training for our staff and training for our volunteers.”
A few years after Varsava started volunteering, he became part of the board of directors for two terms, where he also served as treasurer.
“We call it being bitten by the Habitat bug,” says Fryer of the dedication shown to the community.
Varsava was part of a group of volunteers who travelled to New Orleans to help out after Hurricane Katrina.
After being part of the construction of 63 homes throughout Grey Bruce, Varsava also helped renovate four local ReStore locations, and the organization’s head office in Springmount.
Fryer says, “The number of families he’s helped is incredible. Just being able to have him work alongside our volunteers to ensure that builds are done well so that families can move into a safe and decent home that they can afford quickly… Gary really accelerated our mission.”
Varsava is also involved with other community organizations, including teaching robotics to high school students.
Fryer says that since Varsava’s retirement a few years ago, he’s been able to dedicate even more time to helping Habitat For Humanity Grey Bruce, including being a positive influence for the next generation of tradespeople.
Some of the high school-aged volunteers have gotten help with starting a career in the trades under his guidance.
A celebration is being held for Varsava at Saugeen First Nation on Friday, February 23rd.
Although Varsava isn’t showing any signs of stopping, Habitat could always use more Garys. “We’ll sign them up right now!” says Fryer. “We’re always looking for another Gary, both on a build and in our ReStores as well.”
Anyone looking to volunteer can sign up through the Habitat For Humanity Grey Bruce website, volunteer, or by calling (519) 371-6776.
