06/15/2026
At Habitat, volunteers like Burt and Tom bring both heart and experience to the store, each offering something unique, yet sharing a common commitment to giving back.
Now approaching 89, Burt dedicates three (sometimes four) days a week to working behind the scenes. You’ll rarely find him on the sales floor—instead, he prefers to be in the back, carefully cleaning and preparing donated items, so they’re ready for customers.
“I like making things clean and proper,” Burt says, reflecting a lifetime of hands-on work. From early days at gas stations to running businesses and maintaining equipment across decades, he’s always taken pride in doing things the right way. That same mindset shows up in his volunteer work today.
For Burt, Habitat offers more than just something to do, it provides connection, routine, and a sense of purpose. And, as he puts it with a smile, “I get picked on, but I pick on Tom a little too.”
Tom’s journey to Habitat started nearly nine years ago after retiring from Boeing, where he spent almost 50 years. Like Burt, he knew he wanted to stay active and make a difference. “I decided I needed to do something that added value,” he explains, and he found just that at what was then known as Tool Town.
Tom volunteers a couple of days each week, helping to shape the store in visible ways, from building shelving to creating organized displays that improve customer experience. He thrives on the variety of people he meets, from long-time volunteers to students and new faces learning hands-on skills for the first time. “It’s fun,” Tom says simply. “It’s just fun to be here.”
One of the highlights of Tom’s time at Habitat has been working alongside Burt. Together, they sort through donations, sometimes puzzling over unfamiliar tools, and share friendly moments. “Every day with Burt is fun,” Tom says. “He’s a really good guy.”
Both Burt and Tom have a deep appreciation for their community. Burt, a lifelong Washington resident, stays close to his four children and eight grandchildren. Tom, meanwhile, spends time boating and crabbing with his wife and even volunteers internationally, helping build schoolhouses in rural Guatemala.
While their paths to Habitat were different, Burt and Tom share a common belief in the value of showing up and contributing. Whether it’s behind the scenes or building something new, their steady presence helps keep the store running and reminds us that every role matters.
We’re grateful to have Burt and Tom as part of the Habitat family.
Volunteer with us! https://www.habitatsnohomish.org/volunteer
