Meet CORE Construction Volunteer: Gerry Stebbins

Meet Gerry Stebbins, a CORE volunteer with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s construction team. Gerry has been a great addition to our CORE volunteers, and we are so glad that he volunteers with us! We recently caught up with Gerry to discuss his experience volunteering with our organization.

​What year did you start volunteering with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
I have been a Habitat volunteer since 1990, in the Iowa Quad Cities. In fact, I was on the original Board of Directors who incorporated the Quad Cities affiliate. When I retired from John Deere in 2016, we relocated to our current home in West Branch. I actually spent the summer of 2017 commuting back and forth to Moline, IL, to work on the 100th home build by the Quad Cities affiliate. So, I didn’t start volunteering locally until the spring of 2018, working on the renovation of a home in Coralville, out by the mall.

What is your favorite memory with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
I do not have any particular “favorite” memory. Rather, I enjoy a recurring sense of accomplishment that comes from the completion of a project or any given part of a project.

What drives you to continue to volunteer with us?
I have always liked working with my hands. In part as an antidote to my professional life, which was mainly administrative work. I like to stand back at the end of a work session, look at what has been accomplished, and say, “I built that.” Not surprisingly, my other interest involves building construction, though on a slightly different “scale”. (Pun intended, I am a member of the local model railroad club.) That feeling, as well as the good people I work with, is what keeps me coming back.

Thank you, Gerry, for all of your hard work and dedication to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity! We are so thankful for the countless hours you have devoted to Habitat for Humanity through our affiliate and in the Quad Cities!

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