GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – For approximately 11 years now, a World War II veteran has loyally volunteered his time at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Goose Creek – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s the only job I ever had in my life where I love to come to work,” Robert “Floyd” Hennessee, who’s called Berkeley County home since 1959, said with a smile. “They’ve always treated me fair here.”
Once a week, Hennessee’s daughter drives him to the restore where he spends around three hours helping Habitat workers sort, clean, price and sometimes fix donated tools. While it may sound like a boring task for some, it’s one of the highlights of his week.
“I love that,” he said pointing to a box of tools. “Nobody else wants to do it. It’s the dirtiest job in the building. I’m a tool nut.”
Before Hennessee or “Mr. Floyd” as he’s affectionally called became a dedicated volunteer, he was first a loyal shopper, visiting the restore multiple times a week.
“I don’t care what you’re looking for, if you come in here enough, you’ll find it,” Hennessee told The Berkeley Observer. “And there are lot of things brought in here that’s brand new, but there’s also used stuff.”
His frequent shopping trips ultimately led to Habitat restore workers asking him to consider volunteering.
“I thought that might be something I like. Right after they moved into this building is when I came here to work,” he said.
And despite his body slowing down and having to rely on a walker in recent years to get around, Hennessee, who was raised on a farm in the mountains of North Carolina, the restore has become his second family.
“They treat me like a king around here, and I like it,” he laughed.
To show their appreciation for all he’s done, Habitat workers at the restore surprised him Wednesday with a birthday celebration as he prepares to turn 98 years old Saturday.
“He’s one of our key people to our organization. We love him to death, so we wouldn’t miss a birthday for him,” said George Druyos, the CEO/president of Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County.
“He is the best kind of volunteer. He is the type of volunteer we look for in each person we try to recruit. He’s consistent. He’s always here. He brings up morale. He’s motivating. He does an incredible job for us in the tool department,” Druyos continued.
Habitat’s volunteer coordinator April Rhodes Elswick describes Hennessee as a “legend” of sorts around the building.
“He is amazing. He is a joy to be around. He just kind of warms your soul as soon as he walks in the door. He’s kind of like the king back here. Whatever he needs, we try to make sure he’s well taken care of,” she said.
In addition to volunteering in the restore’s tool section, Rhodes Elswick said over the years he’s put his talent for building things to good use for the benefit of the organization.
“He loves to build things. He used to have a workshop in his home and he would build birdhouses that we would sell here at the restore,” she added. “We have a donation house that’s upfront, so if you’ve ever shopped with us at the restore, there’s a large donation box next to the cashier’s station that was built by Mr. Floyd.”
As Hennessee’s milestone birthday approaches this weekend, Habitat staff hope to celebrate many more birthdays with him at the restore.
“He’s welcome here and wanted her for as long as the Lord blesses us for him to be here,” Rhodes Elswick said.
Hennessee, of course, said he intends to make every effort to continue volunteering with his second family as long as his body allows.
SEE ALSO:
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“I can see the writing on the wall because my legs are gone, but as long as I can I will be here,” he said.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers. Sales from donated items help the Christian nonprofit partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes in the local community and around the world.
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