Honoring the Heart of Habitat KC: 2025 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.
Last year, over 4,000 volunteers dedicated nearly 40,000 hours to helping empower Kansas City with affordable homeownership. It is through their hard work and steadfast commitment that we were able to provide affordable housing solutions to 1,799 individuals.
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.
Bob Schatz: 2025 Recipient
Bob Schatz’s commitment to Habitat KC’s mission is evident in his leadership and ability to inspire those around him. Bob’s patience and positive attitude empower fellow volunteers, making them feel confident in developing their skills. Since increasing his volunteer days, he has become an invaluable asset, always eager to learn and support others. Besides spending two days a week building on our build sites, Bob is also joining our team for our Global Village build in the Dominican Republic this spring. For these reasons, among many others, Bob was nominated for the Emerging Volunteer Award.
Doug Fricke: 2025 Nominee
Doug Fricke has been nominated for the Emerging Volunteer Award for his outstanding volunteer work with Habitat KC. For the past three years, Doug has consistently proven to be a reliable and dedicated volunteer, taking on any task with a positive attitude. His contributions to special projects and his kindness on-site make him an invaluable asset to our team. Doug truly embodies the spirit of service and community!
Chris Hodgdon: 2025 Nominee
Chris brings incredible energy and a profound understanding of Habitat KC’s mission. Chris is an invaluable asset to our ReStore Team and an ideal nominee for the Emerging Volunteer Award. His consistently positive attitude shines through in every role he takes on—whether providing financial support, supporting customers in our ReStores, or encouraging fellow volunteers. Chris doesn’t just do the work—he elevates the entire environment, lifting up those around him and making meaningful contributions to our mission.
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.
Village Presbyterian Church: 2025 Recipient
Village Presbyterian Church has been a dedicated partner of Habitat KC since 1979, serving as our very first partner, providing more than $1.5 million in support and thousands of volunteer hours to build homes in the Kansas City area. Village volunteers work together every Tuesday and Thursday, and many have contributed their time for more than thirty years. Additionally, Village Church Women participate annually in Women Build, and just this month Village Church opened their doors to host Habitat KC’s first Faith Partner’s Breakfast to connect local faith leaders. Their long-standing commitment to service and community makes them a deserving nominee for the Visionary Partnership Award.
Spire Energy: 2025 Nominee
Spire Energy has been nominated for the Visionary Partnership Award for their outstanding partnership with Habitat KC, donating more than $280,000 since 2018. Their commitment is exemplified by nearly 1,000 volunteer hours and numerous team-building opportunities for their employees. Spire has actively participated in Women Build and Veterans Build events, as well as neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) : 2025 Nominee
Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) has been nominated for the Visionary Partnership Award for their exceptional commitment to community service. Since 2016 they have donated more than $250,000 and have partnered with Habitat KC for the annual Realtors Rock the Block event. The group has also participated in Pride Build since 2020, showcasing their commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. Their efforts not only enhance the community but also set an outstanding example of leadership and advocacy in real estate.
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.
Terry White: 2025 Recipient
Terry White began volunteering with Habitat KC in 2004. His unwavering dedication to Habitat KC advocacy is truly inspiring. Terry often shares his personal experiences, enriching our team with valuable insights. He is consistently reliable on the job site and is an excellent on-site instructor. His positive attitude and willingness to help with “whatever you need me to do” make him an invaluable asset to the Habitat KC volunteer team.
Jim Lisson: 2025 Nominee
Since joining the Habitat KC volunteer team in 2012, Jim Lisson has exemplified kindness, humor, and dedication as a volunteer. His positive energy uplifts everyone around him, making him a joy to work with. Jim consistently steps up as a crew leader, participates yearly in Women Build and Rock the Block, showcasing his commitment to Habitat’s mission while patiently teaching and supporting fellow volunteers. His easygoing nature and willingness to tackle any task make him an invaluable asset to the organization. Jim truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism.
Bret Gustafson: 2025 Nominee
Bret Gustafson consistently shows kindness and excitement toward all volunteers, showcasing a genuine passion for Habitat KC’s mission. Since he started volunteering in 2014, he consistently shows up on time twice a week and is always willing to perform any task assigned to him, delivering high-quality work and fostering a collaborative atmosphere. His sense of humor and positive attitude make him a joy to work with. Bret not only contributes through his volunteering but also actively advocates on behalf of Habitat KC’s mission, continually expanding his understanding of this impactful work.
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.