12,000 Hours of Gratitude

We recently caught up with Barb—a dedicated Habitat homeowner and longtime volunteer—to reflect on how life has evolved since she moved into her Habitat home in 2003, and to learn what inspires her to keep giving back through volunteering.

When Barb Jahnke moved into her Habitat home in Menasha back in 2003, she was a single mom taking a leap of faith for the sake of her kids. “Everyone told me not to do it,” she recalls. “But I didn’t listen—and I’m so glad I didn’t.” With a safe, stable home where her children had bedrooms of their own (and even a dog, just like her daughter dreamed), Barb found the fresh start she’d been working toward.

But her journey with Habitat didn’t end when she received her keys—it was just beginning.

Barb’s instinct to give back came naturally. After becoming a homeowner, she kept volunteering with Habitat—starting with gift wrapping fundraisers and later joining the ReStore team when it opened in 2005. With a warm smile and generous spirit, Barb quickly became a familiar and beloved face, spreading kindness every day. She remained deeply involved through Habitat’s Senior Crew, often volunteering two to three times a week. Her dedication has added up to more than 12,000 volunteer hours, a true testament to her heart for service.

In March 2025, she achieved another milestone: paying off her mortgage. “That felt really good,” she shared. “I walked in with my last check, and then I bought something special for me.”

As Barb looks toward retirement, she’s excited to spend even more time volunteering—and maybe catch a few more Timber Rattlers baseball games along the way. Her story is a powerful reminder that Habitat doesn’t just build houses—it builds lasting stability, purpose, and community