Don’s Four-Hour Commute to Make a Difference.

For most people, a four-hour drive is reserved for vacations or family visits. For Don Smeall, it's simply part of his volunteer routine.

A resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Don has been spending time in Vermont his entire life and now lives here for nearly half the year. For the past three years, he's dedicated his Wednesdays through Fridays to volunteering at the Swanton ReStore — even when he’s in Canada and it means setting his alarm for 3:00 a.m., leaving home before dawn, and driving four hours to arrive just as the store opens. What motivates this kind of commitment? For Don, the answer is simple:

“Making a difference.”

A contractor with 49 years of experience in residential renovations, Don believes deeply in the ReStore's mission of keeping usable materials out of landfills while generating funds to help build affordable homes for local families. “The whole concept of it is great,” he says.

“You're helping people, keeping things out of the landfill, and making a difference in someone's life.”

His decades of construction experience have become an invaluable resource for both customers and fellow volunteers. Whether he's helping someone determine if a window will fit, explaining how to install a sink, or offering practical advice from years on the job, Don enjoys sharing his knowledge. One memorable example came when he helped a customer troubleshoot a leaking sink over speakerphone. The next day, she returned just to thank him—the repair had worked perfectly.

But while Don appreciates the opportunity to use his skills, it's the people who keep him coming back.

“The staff here are a great bunch of people,” he says.

“We work hard, we laugh together, and we make a difference. That's what makes every trip worth it.”

That sense of camaraderie makes every early morning and every mile worthwhile. Although he can't point to one defining memory, Don says it's the countless small moments of teamwork, laughter, and helping others that make volunteering so rewarding.

In addition to generously giving his time, Don also supports Habitat financially because he believes in the organization's mission and the lasting impact it has on families and communities.

For anyone considering volunteering, Don has a simple message: “Come experience it for yourself. With meaningful work, great people, and the opportunity to make a real difference, there's no better place to give back.”

Writer: Amy Pearl - September 27, 2026