Logistics Manager Tiffany King Can’t Wait for Your ReStore Donations
As much as Tiffany King wanted to be a truck driver growing up, she’s perfectly happy that she’s not behind the wheel most of the time as Logistics Manager for Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.
While the New Kent native is capable of occasionally driving a box truck, she’s best at managing the fleet that picks up Habitat ReStore donations of gently used furniture and other items, including appliances and building materials. That means keeping tabs on as many as eight trucks that combine for 30 stops a day in the area that stretches from New Kent to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
Additionally, King schedules pickups via phone calls. The ReStore receives between 60-100 calls a day from folks wanting to donate or asking if something can be donated (a new online form makes it even easier to schedule your pickup).
“Sometimes people will email me pictures asking me if something can be donated,” King says.
Almost anything can, and she’s seen it all from sailboats and golf carts to antiques and the tiniest of knickknacks. (Acceptable donations listed here.)
“I enjoy what I do,” King says. “I like to know I’m helping hardworking people with lower incomes buy a home.”
All proceeds from ReStore sales are dedicated to Habitat’s mission to provide decent and affordable housing for all people in the Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg community.
King’s father and grandfather made careers in trucks, and Tiffany worked retail as far back as high school. She’s been the department manager at a home and garden store, a receiver at Tractor Supply and assistant manager at a hardware store, all learning opportunities that prepared her for her role at the ReStore, where she has worked the last six years.
“I like logistics because I like talking to the donors and interacting with the drivers,” she said. “The hours are great.”
King has also become a ReStore shopper herself, often finding garden tools that are like new. She needs them for her home, a farm on five acres that house two horses, two goats, 20 chickens, three dogs and two cats. She’d love a pig.
“I’m up at 5 in the morning feeding the animals and putting the horses out to pasture,” she said. “In the evenings, I’m working with the chickens and horses.”
King enjoys outdoor living with a special affinity for hunting and fishing. Åbout the only thing she doesn’t like is having to say no to someone wanting to donate something unusable. The ReStore does not accept anything with rips or stains; everything must be in working order.
“Overall, I just like working here so I can help families get homes for themselves,” King said. “I like giving back to my community.”
