Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County

10/16/2026

For more than 14 years, Gary has been a familiar face at Habitat for Humanity's store, welcoming customers, sharing knowledge, and helping create a positive experience for everyone who walks through the door.

Volunteering has always been part of Gary's life. Before retiring from a long career with the phone company, he served as a PTA president, participated on nonprofit and community boards, and volunteered through the telecommunications industry's Pioneer program. When a friend suggested he check out Habitat's new location years ago, Gary decided to give it a try. Fourteen years later, he's still making a difference.

"I've always volunteered for some strange reason," Gary says with a laugh. "I like meeting people."

For Gary, service is about much more than giving time. It's about connection.

"I think you receive more than you give," he explains. "Sometimes it's helping somebody find what they need. Sometimes it's just talking with them like they're a person. What you get in return is the real reward."

Born and raised just blocks from the area where he volunteers today, Gary has watched the community transform over the decades. He fondly remembers when Broadway looked more like a small town, with local cafés, a bicycle shop, and neighborhood businesses lining the streets.

One of Gary's favorite memories from Habitat is working alongside fellow volunteer Bill, whose knowledge of tools and hardware seemed endless.

"Something old would come in, and Bill could tell you exactly what it was, how it was used, and the history behind it," Gary recalls. "The knowledge he passed on was amazing."

Gary's passion for helping others extends beyond Habitat. Following his own heart attack, he volunteered in a cardiac rehabilitation program, supporting patients working to regain their health. The experience was both rewarding and deeply meaningful.

Family is another source of pride. Gary and his wife raised three daughters, all of whom have followed service-oriented paths of their own. Today, he proudly talks about his three daughters, three sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.

"I consider myself blessed," he says. "I'm just trying to say thanks to the world."

Those who know Gary would describe him as generous, kind, and always ready with a smile. His advice for anyone thinking about volunteering is simple:

"The gratification you get is so much more than what you give."

Fun Fact: Despite living in Seahawks country his entire life, Gary admits he's a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan. "I'm a closet 49ers fan," he jokes. "That's probably the worst thing to be around here!"

Thank you, Gary, for your years of dedication, mentorship, and kindness. Habitat is stronger because of volunteers like you.


https://www.habitatsnohomish.org/volunteer

10/14/2026

Why Cottage Housing?

Willow Path Cottages brings together thoughtful design, permanently affordable homeownership, and a strong sense of community. It represents a new approach for Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County, with the potential to shape how we build future communities.

Our vision considers both how efficiently we use land and how well the community serves the people who call it home. The quality of each home, the experience of residents, and opportunities for connection among neighbors are central to the design.

At approximately 800–900 square feet each, the eight homes at Willow Path Cottages are thoughtfully designed for everyday living, with space to cook, gather with family, and enjoy privacy and quiet. Each home combines comfort and functionality within a welcoming neighborhood that encourages connection and belonging.

As construction and financing costs continue to challenge affordable housing development, Willow Path Cottages offers an opportunity to create a practical alternative. Successful completion can demonstrate a different vision for permanently affordable housing and establish a model that can be replicated and adapted for future communities.

For partners, supporters, and neighbors, this is an opportunity to learn alongside us, share knowledge, and help shape a model for permanently affordable housing that can benefit future communities well beyond Willow Path Cottages.

Quality homes. Connected communities. Thoughtful use of land. A replicable model for permanently affordable homeownership.

Learn more: https://www.habitatsnohomish.org/willowpath

10/06/2026

By donating a vehicle to Habitat you can help build and repair affordable homes while also helping the environment! We make it fast and easy to donate a vehicle and you will qualify for a tax deduction. We accept almost all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, farm equipment and construction equipment. Vehicles do not need to be in working order and will be picked up for free!
Call: 1-877-277-4344
Or visit: https://habitatsnohomish.org/carsforhomes

10/02/2026

This month, we were excited to sit down with Ivan Alvarado to hear about his family's first 18 months of Habitat Homeownership.

We were excited to sit down with Ivan Alvarado to hear about his fa...

09/30/2026

Thank you to Wells Fargo for their continued commitment to building homes, communities, and hope. Our staff and volunteers were excited to host the team for a day of service in the Lynnwood store. Through , Wells Fargo gives back to communities around the country.

09/25/2026

Raise the Roof 2026 was such a joyful evening, full of energy, community, and a shared commitment to Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County’s mission to build homes, community, and hope. Thank you for being an important part of making it such a fun and memorable night.

Together, we’ve made good progress toward our goal of raising $150,000, but online giving is still open! With your continued support, we can reach the finish line and help more families in Snohomish County have a safe, affordable place to call home.

If you haven’t yet had the chance, we invite you to make a gift and help us reach our $150,000 goal:

Online Giving - https://loom.ly/389UnDU

The evening was also a chance to look ahead. Our next major homeownership project is Willow Path Cottages, eight affordable homes planned for Lynnwood. In the coming months, we’ll continue securing funding, building partnerships, and preparing to begin construction. We look forward to sharing progress with you as the project moves forward.

Thank you again for sharing the evening with us and for supporting Habitat’s work in our community.

Special thanks to Anthony Lopez Photography for generously donating event photography services.

09/14/2026

The Raise the Roof silent auction is open!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/da5c95d8-1a9a-41be-ba94-88b4bd89253d/events/vevt:7c659f15-f133-4564-9e55-7ecae4a8dadd/auctions/silent-auction

Bidding is officially underway, and every bid helps build brighter futures through affordable homeownership.

This year, we're working toward an ambitious $150,000 goal to support affordable homeownership, critical home repairs, and Willow Path Cottages, our new affordable homeownership community in Lynnwood.

60 exciting items are available to bid on—including tickets to see the Seattle Torrent, a Big Green Egg grill, and much more.

Browse the auction, place your bids, and keep an eye on your favorite items. Bidding is open now and ends at 7:00 p.m. on September 19 during Raise the Roof.

Join us that evening from 5:00–8:30 p.m. at the Lynnwood Event Center as we celebrate our community and work together to build brighter futures for local families.

09/10/2026

In an effort to preserve and extend the life of existing homes in our neighborhoods, Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County is running a select number of Roof Repair/Replacement projects. These Roof Repair/Replacement projects aim to address critical and immediate damage and deterioration in a home’s roof that may be creating unhealthy and unsafe living conditions for residents.

We currently have one Roof Repair/Replacement project available this fall. The project selected will be scheduled for completion in October or November 2026, based on the availability of our roofing contractor partner. At this time, only composite shingle roofs will be considered. Rolled, membrane, metal, or other roof types are not eligible.

How to Apply:
Please follow the link below to complete your Roof Repair/Replacement application. To apply for a Roof Repair/Replacement project, you must meet the criteria detailed through the link below. Only fully completed applications, including all required documents, will be considered. Projects are dependent on available funding, and not all qualified applicants will be guaranteed participation.

habitatsnohomish.org/home-repairs

For a printed copy of the application, please visit one of our Habitat Stores in Everett (2302 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201) or Lynnwood (16929 Hwy 99, Lynnwood, WA 98037). Applications will be open Sept. 10th-24th.

09/04/2026

The annual Habitat Snohomish Raise the Roof fundraiser is just around the corner. Now is your chance to reserve seats, but if you aren't able to make it you can also give an early gift or shop the auction remotely!

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Lynnwood Event Center
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tickets, Early Giving, and Auction Preview: https://onecau.se/_gndp81

09/02/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Richard

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up?

I had a pretty unique upbringing. I grew up all over the country because my stepfather was a Master Chief in the U.S. Coast Guard. I spent time in Alaska, Washington, and Virginia, zigzagging back and forth as our family moved. I lived in Virginia and attended Edison High School and Fairfax High School for a few years before moving back to Alaska, where I graduated. After all that moving around, Seattle became home, at least for now. Someday I'd like to retire back on the East Coast.

What did you do before volunteering with Habitat?

I've worked hard my entire life and have worn a lot of hats. After high school, I worked in Alaska's fishing industry, doing everything from cannery work to commercial fishing. I worked on boats catching halibut, salmon, and Dungeness crab around Kodiak Island. It's tough work, but it taught me a lot about perseverance and teamwork. Later, I built a career as a machinist and spent about 35 years in manufacturing and technical trades. I've worked in aerospace, electronics, warehousing, healthcare, and window manufacturing. I also worked as a technician at UW Medical Center and spent years operating heavy equipment and training others in warehouse logistics.

How did you get involved with Habitat for Humanity?

I came to Habitat through the AARP. I started volunteering at the Smokey Point Habitat Store in 2023, working at the pricing table. Since then, I've taken on different responsibilities and eventually found my place in the tool department. My background with tools, machinery, and technical work made the transition feel natural. Over time, I've been able to help train other volunteers and support the team however I can.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Habitat?

The people are what keep me coming back. I've enjoyed working closely with volunteers and staff like Jim, Al, Vicky, Mercy, Michael, and Chris. Everyone brings a different style and personality, but we work well together and support each other. I especially enjoy mentoring newer volunteers and sharing some of the knowledge I've gained over the years.

Any favorite Habitat memories or shout-outs?

One thing that stands out is how much the people make me laugh. Working with Chris is always memorable. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Chris, Mercy, Michael, Jim, Al, and Vicky. They all bring something different to the team. Chris has excellent people skills and does a great job leading and connecting with everyone. Mercy has taught me a lot and helped me grow in pricing. The whole team has made Habitat a place where I enjoy coming in and contributing.

"The people here are what make the experience special. Everyone has something to teach, and we're all learning from each other." – Richard

Volunteer with Habitat Snohomish: https://www.habitatsnohomish.org/volunteer