Living the Spirit of Habitat for Humanity

One volunteer shows all the ways to “Help Build It!”

CHAMPAIGN, IL. (April, 2008) - On Sunday, April 20 from 4 – 7p.m., Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County and ReStore will celebrate volunteers at an event called YOU BUILT IT!

A special award has been created in honor of George H. Kieffer, PhD of Mahomet. The George Kieffer Award: Living the Spirit of Habitat for Humanity will hereafter be given annually, reading, “Every day you teach others what it means to build relationships, community and homes. Your gifts of time, talent and self have changed the face and future of Champaign County.”

George Kieffer, emeritus professor in the School of Life Science, has been in Champaign since the early 70s. His research, work and publications heavily emphasized bioethics, the natural world and making science accessible to all high school and college students.

University of Illinois alumna Carla Barnwell recalls that, “As a professor of biology George gave countless hours of time advising students on courses of study leading to teaching and other public service activities. He treated his students as equals and maintained ongoing dialogue with them well past their undergraduate years. George has had a long-term and broad influence on the teaching of biology and bioethics.”

Since retiring in 1995, Dr. Kieffer has become a full-time volunteer:

1. Assessing family needs throughout the region after hurricanes, floods, tornados and fires through Red Cross Disaster Relief
2. Current Board President of the Champaign County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League
3. Member of the Champaign County Forest Preserve Citizens Advisory Committee
4. Former v olunteer bioethicist for Provena Covenant Hospital
5. Gives and average of 100 hours per month through Retired Seniors Volunteer Program
6. Social Ministry volunteer at Grace Lutheran Church
7. Donor of 98 pints of blood

At Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County and ReStore, Dr. Kieffer serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Volunteer Committee. He regularly puts in 30 hours per week in the home improvement ReStore repairing donations for sale. ReStore Manager Patti Darr explains, “A chair that might sell as-is for $15 will go out the door for $50 thanks to George’s care and skill. That’s a powerful contribution to our mission and our bottom line.”

During Habitat for Humanity’s build season Dr. Kieffer puts in another full day on the work site. To date, he’s worked on at least 15 of the affiliate’s 49 houses. In 2006 he was awarded a trip to participate in a blitz build with a Tennessee affiliate. “George spends more time at Habitat that he does at home. At one point, his wife Beverly asked us to see if we could convince George that painting her living room would help Habitat!,” laughed Build Volunteer Manager Ellen Willcox.

Dr. Kieffer’s leadership in the ReStore and on the work site lends itself to his leadership on the Board of Directors. “George’s hands-on experience informs the whole Board as we begin our 50th home and finish our 5th year as a retailer. We wouldn’t be able to plan our future without his reflections on our past,” adds Board President Patrick Hanlon.

Six additional awards will be given out along with Dr. Kieffer’s at 5:30p.m.