Meet John McKinstry, ReStore CORE

Meet John McKinstry, a CORE volunteer at the Iowa City ReStore. John is one of the newest members of our Iowa City ReStore CORE volunteers, but he has been a familiar face at IVHFH! From serving as a Board President on the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition to hosting fundraising events, John has dedicated his life to helping others in need.

What year did you start volunteer with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
I started with Habitat by going to a workshop in a church building in St. Paul, MN in 1986 which featured Millard Fuller as the main speaker. That summer I spent a week volunteering in St. Paul. In 1987, I helped organize (and was the first President) of the Habitat affiliate in Jasper County, Iowa and the first house renovation in Colfax, IA. Moving from Colfax to Iowa City in the summer of 1993, I began volunteering with IVHFH in 1994.

What is your favorite memory with IVHFH?
I enjoyed working with many Habitat Volunteers from First Christian Church of Iowa City, but William Laubengayer and Charlie Donham were at nearly every build together, so I especially remember working with them.

If you could give advice to any new volunteers or individuals who are on the fence about volunteering, what would you tell them?
The Habitat professionals are especially skilled in working with volunteers, so you can trust them to find ways to make you safe, productive, and appreciative of the opportunity to serve.

What drives you to continue to volunteer with us?
After all these years with Habitat, I have more time to volunteer, and I still believe in the Habitat philosophy of working alongside families to capitalize them and set them up for long term success.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
If I recall correctly, the first small, fully renovated house we sold at no interest to a single mom in Colfax, Iowa back in 1988 cost about $25,000 but today houses cost 8x that or more, meaning we must find new ways to provide housing and financing. Through innovation and extraordinary effort, Habitat remains on the cutting edge of providing affordable home ownership opportunities nationwide and around the world. I am pleased to be a tiny part of Habitat.

Thank you, John, for all of your hard work and dedication to not only our affiliate but to all you have helped over the years! We are so thankful for the countless hours you have dedicated to our organization, whether it is on the build site, in the ReStore, or even being an advocate in the community!