Volunteer Spotlight February 2024: Nancy DePalo

Nancy DePalo weathers the storm of incredibly busy Thursday mornings at the Beaufort ReStore graciously. Thursdays are the first day of the week the store is open, and it is not uncommon for 30 or more people to be lined up at the door waiting to enter at 10:00 am. Her grace and welcoming smile are genuine as many of the regular Thursday customers have become friends over the 11 years Nancy has volunteered with Habitat.

She first worked with Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry in the office as an administrative assistant filling in for an employee who went on maternity leave. When she was asked to fill in at the ReStore for an absent cashier one day, “I was hooked!” she said.

Nancy and her husband, Charlie, vacationed on Hilton Head Island for years when they lived in Long Island, NY. There, she worked for 40 years as a registered dietician in a hospital and doctor’s office. When she and Charlie decided to retire, they chose the Lowcountry and moved to Port Royal full time in 2014.

They drove down on a Saturday and while having breakfast on Sunday they heard an ad on the radio for the administrative position with Habitat. Nancy applied on Monday, was hired on the spot, and began the next day.

Nancy’s favorite part of Habitat is the people she works with: the customers, fellow volunteers, and the ReStore staff. She loves the excitement of Thursday mornings and being able to help “her” customers find that item that is just right for them. She’s developed treasured relationships through her volunteering, and we consider her quite a treasure herself!