Core Volunteer Kelley Donovan moved from Maryland to Wake Forest, NC, last November. Just a few months after the move, she started volunteering twice a week at the Wake Forest Habitat ReStore.
The Wake Forest ReStore is known for having a strong team of core volunteers. At this time, the store boasts a passionate crew of 17 scattered throughout the week, including Kelley.
Kelley spends most of her time organizing and moving items out onto the sales floor, but she also has a passion for DIY projects that has made its way into her work.
A couple months ago, Kelley flipped an old TV armoire tagged $15 into a beautiful bar cabinet that sold for $189.
It took about six weeks to make the bar cabinet, and she completed all the work during her volunteer days at the Wake Forest ReStore.
“It was always the intention to put it back out to sell,” she said.
Kelley has spent the last decade learning skills for different DIY home projects, even sharing her passion with other Habitat supporters back in Maryland through DIY classes at the Habitat ReStore.
“We did a series of four classes,” Kelley said. “Through the class, we flipped a China cabinet, turned a sewing table into a bar and more.”
Kelley first got involved with Habitat for Humanity in the Chesapeake area after retirement, completing volunteer work both on the construction site and in the Habitat ReStores.
“I love Habitat's mission,” Kelley said. “Everything is focused on getting people into affordable housing.”
What is a core volunteer?
A ReStore core volunteer is a volunteer who comes regularly to the ReStore. Many of our core volunteers have been with us for many years and continue contributing hours to help us operate our ReStores each week.
Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity rely on dedicated volunteers to complete their mission. We have several core volunteers with specialized skills, including carpenters, librarians, engineers, organizers, antique treasure-spotters and more.
Volunteers have completed 47,006 hours so far in 2025 across our 10 Triangle ReStore locations.
“On a selfish level, it feels good,” Kelley said. “On a broader community-based level, it puts in for the greater good. Whether it’s here at ReStore or a number of other places, there’s volunteers needed all over the place.”
If you’re interested in volunteering at the ReStore,
visit trianglerestores.org/volunteer to learn more!
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