Meet Shirley and Gary German, Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County’s ReStore Volunteers of the Month for May. These active retirees have consistently shown they have a heart for volunteering, and have been using their spare time to help at the ReStore since shortly after the ReStore opened in August.
“Working at the ReStore gives us an opportunity to use our talents, and even find some new ones. We have fun with our customers. We have fun with the staff and other volunteers. We like interacting with the folks who drop off donations and others who come in a shop. It’s our goal to greet our customers with a smile and have a positive experience. And just maybe they’ll go home with a special treasure."
Originally from Pennsylvania, the couple retired and moved to Ocean City in 2010, where they soon joined a local church and helped organize a soup kitchen and help the homeless. Shirley also became volunteer co-manager of the church’s thrift shop and Gary volunteered as a cashier and helped stock shelves. After seven years the couple took a break from volunteering, then found the ReStore in September and have volunteered two days a week since then.
The couple is a true team, and they both agree that volunteering at the ReStore is both fun and rewarding. "In retirement we have time to do positive things and to give back to our community. It is a true joy to help and serve others.”
The ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in Worcester County. The Habitat ReStore is located at 9026 Worcester Highway in Berlin, and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
