86-year-old handyman uses decades of experience to reduce waste for Habitat for Humanity
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (InvestigateTV) — For several decades, Habitat for Humanity has changed lives, making the path to homeownership easier for families.
A fraction of that important work starts in the back of the Hanover and King William store.
Thanks to many donations of gently used electronics and appliances, Marshall Johnson helps keep the Habitat recycling program up and running.
Designer turned volunteer
He’s been a handyman for as long as he can remember.
“I always enjoy seeing how things were made because all my life I’ve been in our factories and seen all the pieces, parts and go into power tools and appliances,” Johnson said.
In his earlier days, Marshall was a product designer for appliance companies like Black and Decker and Home Depot. His designs are even on display at the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware.
“I’m just innately curious about how do people make things,” Johnson said.
The 86-year-old is blind in one eye and uses a cane to get around, but that doesn’t keep him from doing what he loves.
“There’s just been so many wonderful people and products and that’s fun. I get here seeing what comes in and through the money that we do receive,” Johnson said.
Recycling program reduces waste, raises funds
For many years, Marshall has sorted through metals and electronics and then takes them apart to be sold at the store. It’s an important part of the recycling program that not only raises thousands for Habitat but reduces waste in local landfills.
Mark Adams is a volunteer at the store just like Marshall, but says he’s inspired by his dedication to help his community in more ways than one.
“Don’t take this stuff to the dump. Just bring it in here and people like Marshall will be more than happy to spend their time taking it apart, separating the different metals and getting it to the metal recycling places so we can make a few dollars for Habitat,” Adams said.
“I mean, he gets up in the morning and he’s going - whether he’s volunteering here, delivering or taking food from Feed More to a church in Highland Springs for their food pantry program,” Adams said.
This group of volunteers, Marshall says, has all the right parts needed to build a better community.
Read more of Mr. Fix-It’s story by clicking here.
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