Longtime Habitat Volunteer Finds Ways to Keep Giving
“Leave everything better than you found it.”
Jenny McCauley lives by her father’s words, ones he said every time the family left a campground when she was young.
For the last nine years, Jenny has volunteered twice weekly at the Habitat ReStore in Newport News. Every time she finishes a shift, Jenny leaves the ReStore in a better place.
“She’s awesome,” said Lisa Vick, Volunteer Coordinator at the Newport News ReStore, which is operated by Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. “She’s got a fantastic eye for decorating and arranging. She can take something you see by itself on the floor and put it together with other stuff, and it looks like a million bucks.”
Jenny is a pro at putting together vignettes of furniture, antiques, and accessories, but she is equally adept at pairing things on a smaller scale to encourage sales of multiple items. She’s introduced DIY stations that include instructions she handwrites out for specific projects. Recently, she created a table full of miniatures along with bases and jugs for making your own fairy garden.
“Combining and making something new is a good way for the ReStore to make money,” Jenny said.
All proceeds from ReStore sales go toward building homes, communities, and hope, the Habitat mission that is close to Jenny’s heart.
“I volunteer there because of the mission,” Jenny said. “I was a single mom, and if I hadn’t had my parents to move in with, I might have been there needing a place to live.”
Jenny and fellow longtime volunteer Lynda Schroeder collaborate on projects together. Lynda works in processing while Jenny is on the floor. Together, they find creative ways to further the ReStore’s commitment to sustainability.
When sorting through donations, if they find items the ReStore does not accept, they don’t just dispose of them in a trash can. They’ll drop clothes at The Clothes Bin, which has partnered with the ReStore and has a bin outside that accepts used clothing and other textiles.
Jenny also drives clothes to Menchville House Ministries, and she often directs folks she meets there who need furniture or home accessories to the ReStore.
She’s also forever asking family members not to throw away materials that can be used to wrap and tote sold merchandise.
“Every day we walk in with a bag and newspaper, too,” Jenny said. “Lynda and I have gotten so that we don’t want to throw anything away.”
Jenny credits her parents for instilling volunteerism in her. They were tireless givers who supported the Scouts, their church, the Lions Club, and Meals on Wheels. They also regularly donated to Habitat for Humanity.
“They joined the Ruritans and did civic tasks, including picking up trash on the road when they were in their 80s,” she said.
As instrumental as Jenny is to the ReStore organization, she is also a mentor to newer and younger volunteers. She not only teaches them the ropes; she’s an ear who enjoys listening to their stories and encouraging them.
“I find things they might be good at and let them expand their wings,” she said.
That’s helpful to Lisa, a multitasker who is grateful she can rely on Jenny’s experience and flexibility. She adds, “She’s never met a stranger. We love having her.”
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact
Jenny McCauley’s volunteer work with the Newport News ReStore is just one of many stories that showcase the power of Habitat for Humanity. Its mission draws people in and transforms them into ambassadors for the cause of affordable housing for all.
As Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg 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 this 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, 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.
