If you’ve ever attended a Habitat event or community gathering, chances are you’ve met our October Volunteer of the Month, Matti! Matti is truly a blessing to Habitat for so many reasons. Matti has one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever encounter and always greets everyone with a welcoming smile. His positivity, energy, and deep love for our community are contagious, and his dedication to Habitat’s mission has made a lasting impact on both our organization and everyone he meets. In fact, Habitat requires volunteers like Matti! He spreads our mission with joy, and bring the community together to help build affordable housing without lifting a hammer!
How long have you been volunteering with Habitat?
“I have been on the Habitat Board since 2019 and have volunteered throughout many projects during my time with the Board and Development Committee; including with the ReStore, new builds, Hammer & Ales, repair projects etc…”
What is it that you do for Habitat?
“I am on the Habitat Board of Directors as well as the Development Committee.”
What kind of background do you have?
“I work as the Sales Manager for the Best Western Westminster and am very involved in the local community through various groups, boards and non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County, Carroll Workforce Board, Launch Carroll, Carroll Chambers Ambassador, Hey! Westminster, United Way of Central Maryland, Wisdom Court/Find your Purpose and much much more!”
What’s a memorable moment or accomplishment you’ve had while volunteering with us?
I would have to say my favorite accomplishment would be this years “Hammer & Ales” and the way the community helped support me and Habitat with so many amazing raffle prizes to make it the best Raffle Giveaway EVER!
People asked me what my secret was for collecting these raffle prizes and honestly, I think just being a constant presence in my community and pushing a positive attitude with kindness & gratitude is the only tool I used! I’m really thankful to everyone who contributed towards this year’s Hammer & Ales success – Every raffle ticket sold, every item donated, and every moment shared brings us one step closer to building a stronger community together!
Why is giving back to your community important to you?
For those that don’t know; I grew up in East Africa and think coming from that environment & having this international background has instilled a perspective of wanting to help others. I know first-hand that there are others less fortunate than I am and if I can contribute to helping those around me and helping build up my community, this helps me sleep at night. We can only be successful as a community if we work together!
What do you do when not volunteering?
I am a social butterfly so when I am not volunteering you can most likely find me around my community supporting local shops and businesses from my favorite coffee shop (Jeannie Birds) to my favorite restaurant (Collision Course) to my favorite brewery (Pub Dog) to my favorite distillery (Covalent Spirits) to my favorite boutique shop (Cultivated) – You can simply find me out and about just enjoying all the things that Carroll County has to offer!
Oh and if you see me out and about – Don’t forget to take a selfie with me!
