GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Green Bay area man has found great joy in dedicating his time to others.

Though Gary Sargin, 75, retired years ago, he soon found himself itching to do something.

“I wasn’t going to just sit at home and do nothing and watch TV,” said Sargin.

Sargin began looking around and settled on applying to serve as a volunteer at the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore. More than five years later, he said he has found his calling.

His reason for volunteering is simple.

“It’s fun,” he said.

Sargin not only volunteers three days a week at the ReStore, he’s a big reason the place looks as it does.

Cora Haltaufderheid said when the organization decided to move into a new location in 2020, Sargin asked if he could help design the facility using the skills he learned as an engineer. The organization agreed and loved what he came up with. What you see when you walk in is his vision for the building.

“It’s what Gary does that makes him so special,” Haltaufderheid said. “Gary’s one of those people that’s invaluable to the organization for the simple fact that he cares about everything we do.”

Sargin’s grandson, Shayne Wessley, understands his grandfather's motivation to help others. Wessley spent his summer volunteering with his grandfather.

“I have a pretty cool grandfather,” Wessley said. “He kind of teaches me and everyone else here by example how to be a team player and a leader when he needs to be.”

Sargin appreciates the praise he receives for what’s he’s accomplished for the organization during more than 700 volunteer hours he’ll clock in 2021. However, he said everything he does is for the people the organization takes care of.

“The big thing is obviously knowing that we’re helping build homes for people that are not as fortunate as us,” Sargin said. "It’s just been very satisfying."