Volunteer spotlight: Donna

Some volunteers make an impression long before they join Habitat for Humanity. For Donna, that was certainly the case. 

When Donna signed up to volunteer in June 2025, our Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager, Lauren, immediately recognized her name. The two had first met at Unison (formerly Kerby Centre), where Lauren worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“When COVID hit and the world shut down, seniors were particularly vulnerable. Donna was among the first people to reach out and ask if we needed help getting meals and food to vulnerable seniors,” Lauren recalls. 

“She signed up for SO many shifts and didn’t care where she had to drive or how many stops she had to make. She knew there was a need, and she was simply open to helping. And that’s the kind of person she is.” 

Lauren was thrilled to see Donna’s name come through Habitat’s volunteer portal. And Donna has been just as generous with her time here. 

Donna has captured countless moments through her camera lens. She’s also stepped away from the camera to help at community booths and even worked into the early morning hours as a banker at a fundraising casino. 

But how did someone with a lifelong interest in Habitat find her place behind the camera? 

We’ll let Donna tell you. 

Finding my place at Habitat 

I grew up in California and have been aware of Habitat for Humanity for most of my life, particularly because of the international attention it received through the involvement of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. 

My career focused on communications, public relations, and community investment in the arts and nonprofit sectors, so I never lost my respect for or interest in Habitat’s work. 

Many of the organizations I worked for or served on the boards of, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and the Further Education Society of Alberta, also supported vulnerable members of our community. 

But there was one thing holding me back from volunteering with Habitat. I wasn’t particularly handy with a hammer and nail, so I didn’t think there was a role for me! 

A lifelong love of photography 

After retiring, I began looking for more opportunities to volunteer. My passion for the environment and wildlife led me to animal rescue organizations and the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area, where I volunteered as a trail steward and supported educational programming. 

During the early days of the pandemic, when food insecurity became especially evident, I started delivering meals to seniors through Unison/Kerby Centre. Eventually, I transitioned into supporting their onsite Food Market. 

But I never stopped thinking about how I could contribute to Habitat. 

One day, I visited the website and was pleasantly surprised to discover they needed volunteer photographers for Build Days, special events, home dedications and groundbreakings. 

What good luck! 

I’ve been an avid amateur and semi-professional photographer for most of my life. I’ll never forget the first Kodak Brownie camera my dad gave me. 

Over the years, I’ve displayed and sold some of my photographs, participated in art shows, and even designed home décor items featuring my images. I’ve also had my own photography website. 

But some of my greatest joy comes from photographing my travels around the world, from India and Laos to Botswana and Costa Rica. My next adventure is a trip to Churchill to see the polar bears! 

Photography has given me so many wonderful experiences, and the opportunity to use it to support Habitat felt like a perfect fit. 

More than photographs 

I’m so glad I took the plunge and started volunteering as a photographer for Habitat. I’ve enjoyed every moment. 

The Habitat staff and build site volunteers are caring, talented, fun and supportive. They make me feel like an integral part of the team. 

There’s also nothing more rewarding than meeting the people whose homes are being built, along with the amazing corporate donors and volunteers helping to build them. 

Seeing those properties rise from nothing into beautiful homes is incredibly powerful and rewarding. And as an extrovert, I have a fabulous time connecting with everyone along the way! Everyone feels like family. 

And that’s what home means to me: family, belonging, community and a warm embrace.