Habitat recognizes 2025 volunteers

FINDLAY — Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County held its annual celebration dinner Tuesday to thank the volunteers, donors and community partners who have worked alongside the organization to stabilize and shelter families throughout the year. Exactly 25 years ago on Nov. 4, 2000, Habitat dedicated its first home in Findlay/Hancock County. During 2025, Habitat completed six new homes, bringing the affiliate's total to 67 homes built during the past 25 years. The organization also completed 46 critical home repairs and served hundreds of families through its Financial Opportunity Center — helping neighbors strengthen their financial stability and achieve long-term success. During the event, Executive Director Wendy McCormick shared reflections on the agency's 25th anniversary milestone and a look ahead to 2026, highlighting the affiliate's continued commitment to addressing the local housing shortage and helping more families achieve the dream of homeownership. Three annual awards were presented, honoring individuals whose service, leadership and compassion embody Habitat's mission. Don Snyder was recognized with the Paul Geyer Leadership Volunteer of the Year award. Named for the founder of the Findlay/Hancock County Habitat affiliate, this award recognizes sustained, outstanding volunteer leadership. Snyder has volunteered with Habitat for 13 years, serving on build sites, repair projects and in the ReStore, as well as on the family services committee as a family advocate. He began volunteering through Marathon Petroleum Corp. before becoming a donor and long-term supporter. Since joining the family services committee in 2023, Snyder has served as an advocate for five families — walking alongside them as they work toward homeownership. He is described as "always willing to take on projects others may not. He gives his time and talents to make the lives of those he serves special, leaving a lasting impact on each family. He always has a smile and lets his faith guide him." The Golden Hammer Award honored both Robin Kretzinger and John Addington. Each year one deserving volunteer receives the award, but this year the affiliate broke with its own tradition and awarded two. The award recognizes volunteers who demonstrate exceptional dedication and skill on Habitat build and repair sites. Kretzinger has volunteered with Habitat for 17 years, contributing to 22 home builds, more than five repair projects and countless ReStore and office initiatives. In her retirement, she balances part-time work with Amazon and extensive volunteer hours at Habitat — often spending her days off building homes for others. Known for her patience and mentorship, she takes time to learn new skills and teach others. Addington, a Habitat volunteer for three years, has participated in 10 builds and 14 repair projects. He is known for his dependability, positivity and willingness to help wherever needed. Even after sustaining a minor injury — not on a Habitat site — Addington continued showing up to serve others. Sandy Franks received the Founder's Award. Unlike the other awards, the Founders Award has been presented only one other time in the local affiliate's history. In 2020, it was awarded to the late Tom Joseph, who was a vital contributing founder of the affiliate and served as the organization's first board president. This honor is reserved for someone who has demonstrated unwavering support for Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County over a long period of time. The recipient's achievements reflect the humanistic tradition of racial and economic justice as exemplified in the contributions of Habitat for Humanity International founders Millard Fuller and Clarence Jordan, for whom the award is named. Franks has been with Habitat from the beginning and was instrumental in establishing the affiliate's long-time partnership with Whirlpool. She served as the board president from 2009-11 and helped establish all the affiliate's human resource policies and procedures as past president. Franks organized and led the first women's build in 2006. And while she is no longer a full-time resident of Findlay, she continues to support the organization unconditionally. The affiliate also expressed its appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers and donors, especially the Dream Builder Society members, for their support during the year.