Jerry Tinquist, husband to Cherry Tinquist and active member of the community, is a regular volunteer out on the job sites for Itasca County Habitat for Humanity (ICHFH). He’s been a volunteer with our affiliate for 15 years now. Jerry became a Habitat volunteer because of the involvement of other members of Zion Lutheran Church, where he attends. He decided since he was retired and had the time, getting involved with the construction of Habitat houses sounded like fun. Prior to his time spent as a volunteer with ICHFH Jerry worked with his father at their sign shop as a young man, as a custodian for ISD #318 as a local carpenter and finally retired from IDS# 318 where he was the Building and Ground’s Assistant Supervisor. Jerry and Cherry are long time residents of the Grand Rapids/Cohasset area. Married for 51 years they raised their family here and became active members in these communities. They are currently quite involved with the programs within their church. Jerry spends time each year helping with the Zion Lutheran Bible Camps held at Camp Hiawatha located on Deer Lake. They also volunteer their time at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Grand Rapids. As a member of ICHFH’s “Old Geezer Club” (an endearing title given to a group of retired individuals who volunteer regularly on build sites for ICHFH) Jerry has been a part of the building process for 29 out of the 32 homes completed in Itasca County. Jerry has been blessed by blessing others with the homes he’s worked on. These homes provide stability and security, among other things, to the families and individuals who receive them. Jerry’s involvement on the construction site is one of many ways to volunteer for ICHFH. There are committees to serve on, events to be a part of, as well as assisting at the ReStore.

The excitement is building.  Lives are changing!

Steve Arbour, volunteer with Habitat for humanity for almost 20 years, has made a living by helping community members in Itasca County. You may have met him during his 34 years in the banking industry, or his 6 years with Gemini Sport Marketing and almost 6 years consulting for IEDC. More importantly, you may have met someone that’s life has been changed because of volunteers like Steve. He started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity when he was the president of Wells Fargo Bank in the early 1990’s. Wells Fargo (then Norwest Bank) provided funding and volunteers for homes being constructed. Even at that time he could see the need for affordable housing in this area and supported the Habitat program because it also provided a project that local employees could participate as a team. Since then, Steve has made it a habit to be involved in the building, searching for funding sources and as the treasurer to support families that partner with Habitat for Humanity.

Steve and his wife, Barb, have been longtime residents of the Grand Rapids Area. They have two children, Heather and Stephen, as well as four grandchildren living in the cities. The best part about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is “giving back to the community and helping families realize the American Dream of owning a home,” Steve explained. Helping others. Being part of a team. Making a difference.

All things that volunteers do every day at Itasca County Habitat for Humanity. Whether it’s helping on a build site, volunteering at THE RESTORE, or sitting on a committee. Lives are changing every day because of volunteers like Steve Arbour.