Honoring the Heart of Habitat KC: 2026 Volunteer Awards
The Habitat KC volunteer awards celebrate the heart of our mission—our volunteers. Whether swinging a hammer, sorting donations at ReStore KC, or lending a helping hand, their dedication drives our mission forward.
Over the past year, 4,324 dedicated volunteers have given an extraordinary 45,797 hours in service to our mission. Because of that commitment, 8,219 individuals in our community have been impacted—building unity through shared purpose, advancing equity by removing barriers, creating legacy through generational wealth, and opening doors to opportunity for brighter futures.
That’s why we honor the incredible individuals and partners who make our work possible through the Habitat KC volunteer awards. Their collective impact builds a stronger, more connected Kansas City.
Watch the video to meet some of these inspiring individuals.
At our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, we recognize the outstanding contributors whose dedication truly exemplifies what it means to build a stronger future together. Check out the photos from this year’s Habitat KC Volunteer Awards.
Meet this year’s Habitat KC volunteer award recipients and nominees.
Emerging Volunteer Award
The Emerging Volunteer Award recognizes a volunteer who has been with the organization for less than four years. Throughout that time, this volunteer has shown leadership and growth in their skill set and always exudes positivity. This volunteer has an infectious passion for Habitat’s mission and shares that with others.
Mark Schmitz: 2026 Recipient
Since beginning his volunteer journey in 2023, Mark has contributed an impressive 568 hours of service—and as a generous financial donor, his commitment to Habitat KC’s mission runs deep. Mark is known for his attention to detail and strong work ethic, qualities that shine through in everything he does. No matter the task, he approaches it with care, pride, and thoughtfulness. Dependable and hardworking, Mark is the kind of person every team hopes to have on site—and for those reasons, among many others, he was named this year’s Emerging Volunteer Award recipient.
Mike McGeehan: 2026 Nominee
Since joining us in 2024, Mike has already made a meaningful impact—contributing 250 hours of service as a regular construction volunteer and even stepping beyond our local work to participate in a Global Village build in the Dominican Republic. Mike brings a calm, kind presence to every build site, naturally connecting with fellow volunteers and the homeowners whose lives are being changed through this work. Wherever he goes, he doesn’t just help build homes—he helps build community.
Doug Johnson: 2026 Nominee
Since joining Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City in 2023, Doug has contributed an impressive 524 hours as a regular volunteer and is a generous donor. While he may be an emerging volunteer at Habitat KC, he is certainly not new to the mission—Doug has been part of the Habitat family since 1996, volunteering with five different affiliates and even participating in an international build in South Africa in 1999. His nearly 30 years of dedication tell a powerful story, and we are fortunate he’s now building alongside us here in Kansas City.
Visionary Partnership Award
The Visionary Partnership Award honors a bold and innovative corporate or community partner who, through collaborative volunteer efforts, is a visionary in creating solutions to meet the affordable needs of Kansas City.
Johnson County, Kansas Government: 2026 Recipient
Johnson County, Kansas has made a meaningful impact through both action and advocacy—contributing 283 volunteer hours in support of our mission and consistently showing up for our community. Their commitment spans every level of leadership, from the Board of County Commissioners to their housing team, with individuals rolling up their sleeves on build sites and dedicating full days of service together. But their impact extends far beyond volunteerism. Johnson County has been a powerful advocate for attainable housing—engaging municipalities across the county and helping move forward real, lasting solutions. They were instrumental in bringing the Pathway at Heritage Park development to life, and have committed substantial funding to support Home Preservation projects across Johnson County—ensuring more families can remain safely and securely in their homes.
Multivac: 2026 Nominee
Since 2020, Multivac has been a dedicated and reliable volunteer partner—regularly bringing teams to our build sites and showing up ready to make a difference. Together, their employees have contributed an incredible 2,500 volunteer hours, helping build homes and hope across our community. Beyond their hands-on impact, Multivac has also supported Habitat KC as a financial partner since 2021, demonstrating a level of commitment that goes beyond any one form of giving. Through both action and generosity, Multivac exemplifies what it means to be a visionary partner.
PNC Bank: 2026 Nominee
Since 2021, PNC Bank has been a dedicated annual funder, supporting both our Neighborhood Revitalization efforts and our Home Preservation Services program. They’ve been a proud participant in Women Build each year since 2023 and have engaged their teams in volunteer opportunities since 2022, contributing over 435 hours on our build sites. Their impact doesn’t stop there—PNC Bank also strengthens our mission through education, providing workshop presenters who help equip families with the knowledge and tools for long-term success. Through generosity, engagement, and a commitment to sharing expertise, PNC Bank truly exemplifies what it means to be a visionary partner.
Pritchard Legacy Award
The Prichard Legacy Award. This award recognizes and celebrates an individual who has shared their skills through volunteerism and positively impacted the community throughout their lifetime. This volunteer has been with the organization for many years, continues to show up and suit up every week, and will continue to build homes, community, and hope into the future.
Bret Gustafson: 2026 Recipient
Bret Gustafson has been a dedicated part of Habitat KC since 2014, contributing an incredible 6,734 hours of service. Beyond his countless hours as a regular volunteer on our build sites, Bret is also a donor, a member of our Workforce Development Campus Committee, and a ReStore volunteer supporting special projects. Known for always showing up ready—paintbrush in hand and a great attitude to match—he approaches every day with care, pride, and a willingness to serve wherever he’s needed. What truly sets Bret apart is the way he builds more than homes. He builds relationships—with homeowners, with fellow volunteers, and with our staff. His patience, reliability, and positive spirit make him a constant and welcome presence, week after week.
Gary Beauchamp: 2026 Nominee
Since joining Habitat KC in 2019, Gary Beauchamp has contributed an impressive 1,638 hours of service. As both a donor and a volunteer organizer and recruiter for his church, his influence extends far beyond his own time on the build site. Gary is known for his caring presence and remarkable patience—especially with new volunteers—creating an environment where people feel comfortable, confident, and welcomed. He’s also incredibly multi-talented, bringing strong construction skills to the job site while stepping in with calm and care when needed, thanks to his medical background. Simply put, he makes every workday better.
Jim Phelps: 2026 Nominee
Since joining Habitat KC in 2017, Jim Phelps has contributed an incredible 2,243 hours of service in our ReStores, while also supporting our mission as a donor. A true self-starter, Jim brings a positive attitude to everything he does—equally at ease welcoming and assisting customers as he is working behind the scenes to keep the store running smoothly. When he noticed an opportunity to improve the customer experience, he took it upon himself to remerchandise the cabinet doors, making them easier to browse and shop. His initiative, attention to detail, and deep commitment to service make him an outstanding member of the Habitat KC family.
Interested in building with us?
Anyone can join us on a construction site or at any of our ReStore KC locations. No experience is necessary. We’ll provide you with the tools you need to make a positive impact in your community.