Meet Murray, one of our incredible ReStore volunteers who’s been giving his time and expertise to Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia for over seven years.
Originally from Ontario, Murray moved to Nova Scotia more than 50 years ago. “I hate to admit it,” he jokes. “I like to tease people who are from Ontario.” He first came east for work with AC Nielsen, a marketing firm. What was meant to be a short-term move turned into a lifelong home. “Six months after I got here, I met my wife — best move I ever made.”
After retiring from a 30-year career collecting data across the Maritimes — from pop and chips to headache remedies and shampoo — Murray was looking for a way to stay active. “You’ve got to have some stimulation,” he says. “I enjoy helping out, but I also enjoy shooting the breeze with the guys.”
That sense of camaraderie is a big part of what’s kept him coming back every Wednesday and Friday. “It’s an excellent group of people here. Mike (Burke, Warehouse Manager) couldn’t run a better ship.”
One standout moment from his time volunteering? “I broke a piece of granite about five or six years ago. And they’re still giving me a hard time for it!” he laughs. “Now, anytime there’s anything fragile, they say, ‘Don’t let Murray near it!’”
For Murray, volunteering is about more than just keeping busy. “I’ve got the time to give, and it feels good to give back.” Before Habitat, he spent time with Circle of Care, helping deliver donated furniture at no cost to those who needed it most.
He’s seen a lot of change over the years. “Times are changing,” he says. Rising costs have made it harder to build in traditional ways, but programs like Habitat’s Home RePair Program are helping Habitat move forward and meet the growing need for affordable housing.
We’re incredibly lucky to have Murray on our team — even if we do still tease him about that granite.