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Dianne Colton: Volunteering For a Mission Close to Her Heart

If you’ve shopped at Habitat for Humanity’s Williamsburg ReStore, chances are you’ve seen Dianne Colton.

A mainstay at the home improvement store and donation center, Colton began volunteering at the ReStore in 2012, the year it opened.

It was a fitting next chapter for Colton, who spent 39 years as an elementary school teacher with Williamsburg James City County Schools before she retired in 2008.

After losing her dad and then her mother in late 2011, she decided it was time to find something new to get her out of the house. She learned of a meeting about Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore that would be opening on Jamestown Road and decided to attend.

“When they talked about their mission and about raising money to build homes, I was in,” said Colton.

From her teaching experience, Colton often worked with families who struggled to find affordable housing, so the mission was close to her heart.

“I knew there was a local need for affordable housing, and I wanted to contribute to that in some way,” she said.

Colton started out volunteering one day a week, then increased it to two, then three, averaging 12 hours a week. She’s watched as the ReStore has grown from a one-room storefront to now four rooms.

When she began in 2012, Colton volunteered wherever she was needed. As the store grew and individual departments formed, she found her niche in the linen section.

“That includes anything fabric needed for a home, from table linens to bed linens, to curtains to valances to flags,” she said.

There’s always plenty to do, and Colton takes great pride in her work.

“We get an amazing number of donations and have to separate them by category, check them to see if they are clean, measure them, hang them for display, and price them,” said Colton. “We’re a very successful department.”

Colton also enjoys having fun.

Years ago, when a volunteer converted an old women’s bathroom in the back of the store to the new donation intake area, Colton and a few of the other women who volunteered decided to give the new intake area a nickname.

“We nicknamed it the ‘loo,’ and those of us who work back there are fondly known as ‘Our Ladies of the Loo.’ I made a hot pink sign and hung it over the door in the back — I mean, why not? Right?”

Volunteering at the ReStore has been fulfilling to Colton on many levels. While she enjoys the work, she has made countless new friends in the 13 years she’s been there.

“They are my longtime friends through thick and thin,” she said. “It’s that kind of group – we’re dedicated. It’s astonishing how close we have become, and that’s a blessing unto itself.”

One of her favorite memories was when a group of women – all new homeowners who were coming into volunteer as part of Habitat for Humanity’s First-time Homebuyer Program – came into the ReStore.

As the women came in, Colton recognized two of them as students she taught in the 5^th grade.

“It was touching, because they came from difficult circumstances, and then 25 years later here they are as adults who are successful, have jobs, have families – and they just need a home, and that’s what we do,” she said. “We had a lovely reunion.”

Because the mission is so close to her heart, Colton will often attend Habitat for Humanity’s ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new homes and support the builds by ferrying over ice, cold water, and brownies.

“I like to meet the women and get to know them – it just reinforces why we’re all here,” she said. “One of the ladies – her ribbon cutting was last fall – I see her frequently when she comes in and she’s looking for things for her new house.”

Colton describes the ReStore as a rewarding place to volunteer, where dedication is recognized through service awards. Her own commitment was honored with a Lifetime Achievement pin after surpassing 4,000 volunteer hours—a milestone she’s proud of. She encourages others to get involved, emphasizing that no special skills are needed, just a willingness to help.

“People sometimes are deterred because they think they need to have a special skill, but if you have time and want to volunteer – we can find a spot for you,” she said. “You don’t have to sign a contract, and you can set your own schedule. We’re a very welcoming group.”

Working at the ReStore was Colton’s first real dedicated volunteer job, and she couldn’t be happier that she chose it.

“I love it! Who doesn’t need a bunch of families around them? I have my blood family, my neighborhood family, my church family, and my ReStore family – I’m blessed beyond measure.”

Celebrating 40 Years of Impact

Dianne Colton’s story is just one of many that showcase the power of Habitat for Humanity’s mission. As Habitat PGW celebrates 40 years of building homes, communities, and hope, we’re sharing 40 inspiring stories of the people, families, and organizations whose lives have been changed through this work.

Volunteers like Dianne play a crucial role, but the impact wouldn’t be possible without generous donors as well. Whether you give your time at the ReStore, support home builds, or donate furniture, every contribution helps create decent, affordable housing for those in need.

Stay tuned for more stories of transformation, and if you’re inspired by Dianne’s journey, consider joining our mission—whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. Because together, we’re building more than homes. We’re building hope.