Darwin has dedicated over 20 years of service to Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity. At 87, he has a contagious spirit that inspires the volunteers around him.

Chris, a construction manager who works closely with Darwin, says, “He’s like the strongest, toughest man I’ve met at his age. He’s like a machine.”

Darwin didn’t begin his journey with Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity on construction site, instead he joined the organization as a volunteer board member with his friend Nick. He remembers feeling out of place in that role, and it wasn’t long before the two of them found their true home as construction volunteers.

“I just understood that Habitat is a really good organization and is helping people who could use the help.”

Since then, he has been involved in every home built in the Red Wing, Lake City, Goodhue area. He has witnessed firsthand the tremendous growth of the organization. “In the time I’ve been here, Habitat has expanded to a county-wide organization.”

Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity has built a home in nearly every city in Goodhue County during the years he has volunteered.

After Darwin retired, the Red Wing Go 2 Team formed. The Red Wing Go 2 Team is a dedicated volunteer group that works one to two times a week on a wide range of construction projects in the Red Wing area, and occasionally in Lake City and Goodhue.

Speaking for the group, Darwin says, “We enjoy the work and enjoy doing something that is worthwhile.”

Outside of Habitat, Darwin loves being outdoors. He is an avid gardener. In the summers he donates his everything from lettuce to pumpkins to his church community. He also volunteers to maintain local bike trails and enjoys bow-hunting and fishing.

He’s not ready to hang up his toolbelt anytime soon. “I’ll volunteer until they tell me I’m in the way.”