We asked Keith what inspired him to get involved with Habitat for Humanity and what has kept him motivated to keep showing up for the past 20 years.

For two decades, Keith has dedicated his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity, contributing an astounding 20,000 hours of volunteer work. His journey began in 2004 when his wife, Christine, stumbled upon an article about Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (Habitat VIN) in the newspaper. Intrigued, they attended an open house to learn more about the organization, where Keith had the opportunity to meet Jon Toogood, the founder of Habitat VIN. Inspired by the mission, Keith expressed his eagerness to get involved and soon found himself swinging hammers on the very first Habitat home in Courtenay. Christine also joined him on the build site from time to time, sharing in the rewarding experience.

Before the Habitat ReStore was established, Jon Toogood and Keith would use Jon's personal barn to store building supplies. A humble beginning that set the stage for something much greater. Keith fondly recalls his first volunteer experience with Habitat: deconstructing a cabin at Horne Lake, all the materials were later stored at the barn on Jon's property.

Over the years, Keith has made his mark in each of the ReStore locations. His journey began at the original site on the corner of Ryan Road and Comox Ave, followed by a second location that specialized in appliances and furniture, behind Chuck's Trucks.

Despite his commitments in the military, Keith took leave to work on the first build and continues to volunteer at the ReStore on weekends to this day. That initial leap into service ignited a passion that has kept him dedicated ever since. Looking back, Keith recognizes that this journey has not only shaped his life but also helped build a stronger community.

The build Keith enjoyed the most was the very first one. While working on building the fence, a little girl asked if she could help. He remembers giving her a hammer and showing her what to do and told the crew that she was in “charge” now which everybody got a big kick out of. Keith recalls

"seeing the excitement on the faces of the kids when they saw their own bedrooms for the first time, was an unforgettable and moving experience.”

We asked Keith how has he seen Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North evolve and impact the community since he began volunteering.

"Most of the families we’ve worked with have thrived and truly love their new homes," Keith shared. He emphasized the remarkable number of people the organization has been able to assist over the years. A key milestone in this journey was the expansion into Campbell River, which allowed Habitat to reach even more families in need. This growth not only reflects the organization’s commitment to its mission but also highlights the lasting positive change Habitat continues to bring to the community.

We asked Keith to share what volunteering has taught him, and how has it enriched his life over the years.

Keith truly enjoys volunteering because there's always something new to do and learn. Whether it's deconstruction, building homes, or helping out at the ReStore, every experience has been interesting and fulfilling. The connections he's made with people along the way have been especially meaningful to him.

Keith's advice to someone considering volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

"Do what you can, when you can, because every bit makes a difference. You don't need to be an expert in anything—we have a place for everyone to get involved."