Habitat ReStore Donation Coordinators
Linda Welch and Alex Van Handel
Tell me about your typical day?
Linda (who works Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and Alex: Both say they are on the phone taking and confirming orders with donors. We also work on donor pick up schedules and if time allows, Linda does a bit of marketing related work.
Best part of your job?
Linda: I really enjoy working with volunteers. The early morning Wednesday truck crew are great guys. We receive compliments on them frequently.
Alex: Knowing the profits from the donations that we bring in are a part of raising money for Habitat homes.
First job:
Linda: I worked in a German bakery in Lake Geneva. Delicious!
Alex: A summer time school cleaning crew in Hartford, Wisconsin.
Hobbies:
Linda: Wilderness camping in Canada, gardening, biking, cooking and knitting. I am striving to be a Peony Queen!
Alex: My hobbies include ANYTHING Batman, performing in plays/musicals, and reading with my fiancé Katie every night.
What is the coolest item you have seen come through the Habitat ReStore?
Linda: Cabinets from a design company’s show room floor.
Alex: A set of bay windows from a 18th century German Castle.
What is one thing you wish every donor knew?
Linda: I would love to have them visualize a Habitat Family in their new home and what a difference they make in donating to the ReStore. I also wish the donors knew how Habitat works and that the families pay a monthly mortgage to Habitat. It’s a Hand Up, not a Hand Out!
Alex: That we try our best to accept every donation that comes our way, but in the end we can only accept items that are a good fit for our stores. If we have to decline a particular item, we are still very thankful that they thought of the ReStore.
