Ian Beattie volunteers at the Restore with Habitat for Humanity. This year, he received a Distinguished Civic Awards for Community Service at the Cobourg Civic Awards ceremony.
Beattie doubled his volunteer commitment to the ReStore during COVID, working more than 500 hours in 2021 – more than double any other ReStore volunteer. Ian also helped at the mass-immunization clinic at the Cobourg Community Centre.
Ian had volunteered in the past for a few years with the Heart and Stroke Foundation but not since retiring in Northumberland.
How he got back into volunteering is a story in itself.
“My wife and I had an opportunity to take a trip…arranged by the chamber of commerce in Cobourg, but we aren’t members”, said Ian.
It turned out that if Ian volunteered with a local charity, then he would meet the requirements of the trip.
So he started volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to accumulate his needed 40 hours of service, that was about five years ago. “I just love volunteering now. I do it two days a week – sometimes two and a half” stated Beattie.
According to Beattie he benefits because his association with Humanity for Habitat and the excellent people he works with as well as the interactions with customers and other volunteers. “I realized that it’s good for me as well as it’s obviously good for the community”.
When the ReStore shut down during the pandemic, Ian became a member of the ‘Orange Army’ at the CCC for vaccination clinics sometimes as many as 6 days a week. “It’s important I think to give back to the community. I’ve been very fortunate since I came to Canada.”
Ian credits never having to look for work as a blessing, allowing him to live today, if not extravagantly, at least comfortably. Habitat’s mission also really calls to Ian; a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Ian is proud to be part of an organization that gives a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. All that the profits from the ReStore go directly to building homes in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing.
Volunteer Appreciation Day, powered by Coldwell Banker RMR Real Estate.
To hear more about Ian Beattie, one of Northumberland’s outstanding volunteers, click on the audio link below to hear our full interview.
