Hamilton, ON (December 1st, 2025)
In this Volunteer Spotlight, we’ll highlight a dedicated volunteer who has been working with Habitat Hamilton for more than 15 years. Paul Martin, now a familiar face among Habitat staff and volunteers, has contributed in many ways over the years. His journey began when a friend convinced him to join a corporate build day as part of the ArcelorMittal Dofasco team. One day on site was all it took; Paul enjoyed the experience so much that he decided right then and there that we wanted to keep coming back. Since then, he’s become one of our most committed and experienced volunteers, contributing countless hours across multiple build sites since the late 2000s – beginning with the Robert Land project in North Hamilton.
Paul brings more than five decades of home renovation and repair experience to every project, plus 38 years of leadership experience from his time at Dofasco, helping him guide, mentor, and support other volunteers on site. His skills, patience, and positive attitude have left a lasting impression on everyone who works alongside him.
Paul says his favourite part of volunteering has always been the new builds – watching the moment when families walk into their Habitat home for the first time. One memory that still stands out deeply for him came from the Wickham build, when a child quietly asked him if Santa would still know where to find her after she moved. Paul responded with confidence that Santa – who had spent months building her home – definitely would.
Moments like that are why Paul keeps showing up. For him, volunteering with Habitat has opened doors to new friendships, new skills, and a deeper understanding of the housing challenges families face both here and around the world. Paul even travelled to Portugal in 2014 as part of a Global Village build, where he saw firsthand that affordable housing struggles are universal, and that Habitat’s model changes lives everywhere.
This year, Paul was nominated for the City of Hamilton’s Senior of the Year Award at the ceremony’s 30th anniversary, a well-deserved recognition of his years of passion and service. Although he didn’t take home the award, we are incredibly proud to have nominated him, and honoured to have him as part of the Habitat Hamilton family.
When asked what advice he’d give to someone thinking about volunteering, Paul’s message is simple: “Go for it! It is a most enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
Paul sees volunteering as a way to build community, connect friendships, and make a meaningful impact. And from his perspective, what sets Habitat apart is simple: the genuine commitment, from staff, volunteers, and partners, to doing what it takes to help families thrive long after the keys are handed over.
Thank you, Paul, for your years of hard work, compassion, and leadership. Volunteers like you are the foundation this organization stands on.
If Paul’s story inspired you, we’d love to have you join us. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.
