Volunteer Recognition

A Good (and Good-Hearted) Handyman is Hard to Find

by Cathleen Hooper

            Theresa House is always looking for capable community members looking to lend a helping hand.  Fortunately enough, 18 months ago, one such community member walked right up and knocked on our doors. 

            Dave Holland moved to Mankato in 2006 to work as a municipal engineer for Bolton and Menk, Inc., a local business providing water and wastewater engineering services to numerous municipalities.  Dave, a former Peace Corps volunteer and an inquisitive individual, lived only a few blocks away from Theresa House.  He describes stumbling across the shelter while strolling in the neighborhood one day.  He saw the sign requesting donations and decided to see what Theresa House was all about.

            Executive Director Pam Bartholomew, knowing a helping hand when she saw one, gave Dave a tour of the facility.  He explains, “I asked, ‘Is there anything than needs to be done?’ Pam asked, ‘What can you do?’ and I said, “Well, I have a hammer and a saw…’”  This is how Theresa House found its own good-natured handyman, complete with not only a flair for carpentry, but experience with multicultural populations.

            Dave has contributed many hours and much effort to Theresa House, and one particular aspect of his relationship with the shelter stands out as a feat of carpentry and a work of art.  Dave tells how, during his initial tour of the shelter, he kept his eyes open for areas where the shelter could use his help.  One particular need presented itself as of great importance: the shelter needed a new baby crib.

            Most of the shelter’s resources are donated by community members, and at the time, the shelter’s single crib was one of these donations.  The crib was old, had fallen into disrepair, and needed to be retired.  This created a serious need, since many shelter guests have infants and young children.  Theresa House staff noted that the shelter needed another crib, but since they happen to be particularly costly pieces of equipment, purchasing another crib was not a possibility.

            Dave saw his opportunity to help out and began planning.  While not formally schooled in woodworking, he conducted internet research on the topic and ordered plans and hardware to build a baby crib that met government regulated specifications.  But Dave ran into some obstacles; supplies were a notable expense, and he didn’t have access to the tools needed to undertake a serious woodworking project. 

Coming from a background as a Peace Corps volunteer, Dave has a history of resourcefulness, and he turned to the community to assist him in meeting the shelter’s needs.  He talked to his employer, and Bolton and Menk agreed to donate funds for much of the material costs and a community member contributed the rest.  A member of Dave’s church congregation volunteered access to his woodworking equipment, and Dave himself was ready to put in the time and energy needed for the carpentry. 

Over the next few months, Dave invested hours in carefully crafting the crib, paying attention to details of the construction and ensuring safety. The end result, an impressive piece of craftsmanship, now provides a sleeping spot for young shelter guests. Pam Bartholomew reflects on Dave’s contribution: “Dave built a beautiful and sturdy crib that replaced a used crib that was no longer safe to use.  One of the parents who recently stayed at the shelter used the crib for her 18 month old daughter.”  Already, this important piece of equipment is helping shelter guests care safely for their children.

These days, on top of designing and maintaining municipal water systems across the region, Dave volunteers several hours each month at Theresa House.  He describes himself as “the guy with the crowbars and hammers,” a “guy” donating vital maintenance services to keep the facility in good running order.  Dave Holland is another example of a community member sharing his time and talents to make life at Theresa House, and in Mankato, just a little bit better.  We’re glad to say that he plans to keep volunteering those helping hands for the duration of his stay in Mankato.  Thanks, Dave!