mulling YOUR RETIREMENT? READ THIS.

By Sam Parnitze, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern

Retirement is one of the most exciting times of a person’s life. After years of work and service, it’s time to take a step back and enjoy your golden years. There is nothing but freedom, and your time is finally yours. Every day feels like getting your drivers license as a teen again.

But then what? The world keeps turning. The rest of your family goes back to work; the grandkids go back to school. Days filled with mid-morning walks and daytime TV begin to get old. How is someone supposed to stay busy all the time?

Volunteering is a clear choice. According to data from the 2023 U.S. census, of the 75.7 million volunteers yearly, 27.2 percent of them are between 45 and 64 years old, meaning the people closest to retirement are already committed to serving others. However, with so many opportunities across Sheboygan, why choose the ReStore? There’s one thing we can promise to all volunteers: We want to make your experience here special. The most important thing we can offer is the chance for you to experience the family feeling we have here. The floor is always open for someone to add a comment, concern, or even a helpful recommendation.

Even required safety meetings are short and fun while also giving you the chance to learn necessary skills. Given all the ways you can spend your time, the least we can do is treat you with love and respect. In addition, meeting new people and experiencing all the different jobs that need to be done daily are just a few perks that come with it.

Volunteering at the Sheboygan ReStore might not seem crucial, but it is. Any amount of time volunteers donate to the ReStore turns into work that affects the entire community. Free time, which is something most retirees have in abundance, makes volunteering at the ReStore an easy choice. We are lucky that it’s not the only choice, as volunteer opportunities are all over our area, from Fresh Meals on Wheels to the Sheboygan County Warming Center.
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Many ReStore volunteers have retired from years in the workforce. “When I was looking for somewhere to volunteer, the ReStore fit my needs and had the flexibility of times that I wanted to work and the cashier position available that I was looking for,” says Angie Barringer, who recently retired and came onboard as a ReStore volunteer. “In addition to that, I volunteer to meet new people and find a sense of purpose and fulfillment by giving back and making a positive impact.” At the heart of all our departments are retirees changing Sheboygan County and having a blast doing it. From receiving to merchandising to even sharing donuts and stories around the table. They say it takes a village to make change; we think all we need is our volunteers.

Even if you’re still in the middle of your working life, making a difference at the ReStore is possible. Flexible shifts make it so that even if you're just trying to fill a two-hour gap on a weekend, you can still be a welcome addition to the team. During the week, our very own Andrew Klinger works full-time at the Kohler Company. However, you can still find him in the backrooms of the ReStore come Saturday morning.

“It’s nice to wake up on a Saturday and go in and do some work with the express focus on helping,” Andrew says. “I love coming in and seeing what new things are in the store, and it's a fun change of pace from my work during the week. I’ve found that volunteering has been a great way for me to destress from my job and frankly gives my life as a whole a bit more structure.”

The ReStore is one of the most important aspects of the Habitat mission. ReStore proceeds support affordable home repairs and affordable housing in Sheboygan County. ReStore also offers a fun and thrifty place to pick up new and gently used furniture, home goods, tools and hardware, and building supplies. We are always looking for new people ready to help and start making a difference.

​Whether you're newly retired or still working, consider joining the ReStore family. We can promise your golden years will not be put to waste, and you staying busy will never be in question. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit www.habitatlakeside.com or email Penny Rayfield, our volunteer services manager, at [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you.

ReStore volunteers take a break after a safety instruction seminar.