Zeeland retiree has spent 4K hours building homes for others

HOLLAND — For years, Zeeland’s Jim Deur has regularly volunteered with Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity, building homes for others in the community.

Deur recently hit a milestone in his service, becoming the first Lakeshore Habitat volunteer to reach 4,000 hours of volunteering with the organization. His time with Lakeshore Habitat equates to over 166 days, nearly half a year.

“I love to build and I feel strongly about serving others in gratitude of God's gift of salvation to me through Jesus Christ, so building with Lakeshore Habitat is a natural and perfect way to serve,” Deur wrote in a press release.

Prior to his retirement, Deur’s church community built the majority of a home for a fellow member. Deur has been helping Lakeshore Habitat ever since. Now that he’s retired, he’s been volunteering three days a week.

“Jim Deur is a humble and hardworking man, and we are so thankful he’s chosen Lakeshore Habitat to give his time and work to,” Lakeshore Habitat Executive Director Don Wilkinson wrote in a statement. “Our work depends on people like Jim who have a heart to serve others.”

Deur said his favorite part of volunteering with Lakeshore Habitat is working alongside others who share his values and reasons for helping the community, according to the release. He also loves hearing the stories of families who move into the homes he helps build.

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Deur encourages other community members to join him, regardless of their experience, age or skill level.

“If you have some time and a desire to serve, come join us. We'd love to have you.”

For more information, visit lakeshorehabitat.com.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland retiree has spent 4K hours building homes for others