Heart of Habitat Gratitude Awards Pulls Heartstrings

Todd Gute has served on Habitat Capital Region's Board of Directors for five years. He has saved the organization thousands of budget dollars by donating his time and architectural skills, drawing plans for projects such as a pavilion and updating plans for the upcoming new build. He has taken on the important role of invocator and prayer leader for home dedications, groundbreakings, and even this volunteer appreciation event.  

Additionally, he takes time to call volunteers and donors to thank them for their contribution to the mission. Todd has been overheard saying “It’s not about just building houses, it’s about building lives!”

The Consumers Energy team has been volunteering with Habitat Capital Region for many years in many different capacities. Just in 2022, thirteen skilled employees donated over 66 hours of service helping to build a community pavilion, and they have made impactful contributions at both the Lansing and Williamston ReStores.    

Consumers Energy's purpose and passion is to make life better for the people of Michigan.

Neils Heiselt began volunteering with Habitat Capital Region in July of 2022. He is a Missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, setting aside his normal life for up to two years to help others. His commitment to volunteerism reflects a strong spirit of service, connection to community, and a passion to make the world a better place. 

Neils has contributed over 167 hours to help rehab a home in the Homeownership Program, has helped build 4 accessibility ramps, and is a familiar face at the Lansing ReStore multiple times each week. He has a willingness and drive to learn new skills, ALWAYS with a smile on his face. 

Mark Burdick has helped the ReStore make a ‘shift’ in one or more areas.  His consistent efforts have helped to keep tons of perfectly good items from ending up in landfills by providing an outlet for them to find new homes. Beyond making an impact at the ReStore, he is making a difference on a larger scale helping to create a greener world. 

Mark Burdick has shown there is no task too big for him, and he is always willing to help the ReStore staff with anything. His efforts also shine outside of the ReStore as he is a staple with his wife at the annual Home-In-One Golf Outing. He is an accomplished, steadfast partner who is eager to take on any project and always does so with a smile.

AF Group has been recognized as an outstanding corporate partner for their commitment to strengthening nonprofit organizations in the community. They are a champion of Habitat Capital Region’s mission and are actively engaged in supporting Habitat Capital Region's Ramp Program.  

We applaud AF Group for their continued support of Habitat Capital Region, restoring independence for those with mobility challenges. AF Group is also actively engaged by providing volunteer opportunities for their employees on construction sites throughout the year. 

William Kiebler is integral in the accessibility Ramp Program, takes initiative maintaining our trucks, trailers and tools, and offers additional support that benefits the organization by creating strength and stability. Notably, he supports the Ramp Program from assessments, hand-drawing plans, to being onsite leading volunteers during the ramp's construction. In total, he has volunteered almost 500 hours in 2022. 

We applaud him for taking on leadership roles with homebuyer walk throughs teaching future Habitat homeowners required home maintenance and as Veterans Program Manager.

Tom Mills is committed no matter the need, project, or obstacles that may be present, volunteering over 275 hours in 2022.  He is a role model for compassion and service, is a talented carpenter and strives to make the world a better place.

He has exemplified all of these qualities by leading volunteers and working alongside the Core Crew team on the construction, assessment, and quoting of materials for 17 accessibility ramps in 2022! In addition he contributes time to the Homeownership Program on rehabs, new construction projects, and even a home in Kenya, Africa.

Since 1998, Jane Johnson has been integral in serving people in the Greater Lansing community. She has been a weekly volunteer on the Ramp Crew, building accessibility ramps for individuals with mobility issues in our community. She also organized her quilting guild to make quilts for new Habitat homebuyers when they move into their homes.

Jane Johnson, has made an impact in the lives of dozens of households served by Habitat Capital Region's Ramp Program over the past 26 years who now have safe and independent access to their homes. We estimate that Jane has contributed roughly over 4,000 hours to Habitat Capital Region!  

Since 2005, Charlie Breneman has been an indispensable part of Habitat for Humanity Capital Region's mission. He serves as a role model for compassion and service, and he strives to make the world a better place.

We applaud Charlie Breneman and we extend our utmost gratitude and appreciation for his estimated 8,500 hours of service and volunteerism to the Greater Lansing community. His efforts have increased the ability of our organization to provide safe, decent and affordable homes to our partners by working on over 50 homes with Habitat for Humanity, including a home in Kenya, Africa.