Santa in our Midst!

At Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, we are blessed to have our very own Santa Clause! With the holiday season wrapping up, we would like to acknowledge Joe Herrmann, one of our most dedicated volunteers and Santa extraordinaire!

Joe moved to Genesee County from Lansing to work in a Buick Factory at the age of 18. After 32 ½ years with GM, Joe retired and has been a critical part of our Habitat family ever since.

“[Joe] is a huge asset to Habitat. With Joe on site, you can always be sure the volunteers will have a great day” said Juan Zuniga, Program Director at GCHFH.

Joe sets a great example for volunteers and brings an attitude to the work site that gets the best out of everybody.

“Despite all the homes he’s helped us build, he’s still not opposed to taking the crappiest job on the worksite,” said Construction Assistant Chris Smith, “He truly just shows up with a heart to help.”

Joe is a true team player that draws the admiration and respect of everyone who works alongside him.

“You give him an assignment and he’ll get it done,” said fellow volunteer and Construction Committee Chair Joe Verreau, “Whoever’s calling the shots, [Joe] just moves forward and gets it done!”

Joe isn’t afraid of any job. “He loves getting on roofs! Even little sheds, I’m like, ‘Hey Joe what are you doing up there?!’” said Construction Manager George MacEachern, “I guess it’s a Santa thing.”

True to the Habitat spirit, Joe also enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. “Joe loves to teach the homeowners the building skills he has learned, which is critical in our efforts to empower our families” said Zuniga.

Joe has also worked with Habitat in Florida, helped to completely rehab a food pantry with East Side Mission, and has been an active member of the South Baptist Church in Flint for over 20 years. Joe has also been a professional Santa Clause for six years which takes him all around the country. When Joe isn’t volunteering or ho-ho-hoing, you can find him out on the lake fishing with his dearly loved grandchildren. It’s been a real honor for all of us working alongside Joe Herrmann and getting to know him.

​“He’s got that gregarious, warm personality,” said Verreau “it’s not receding though; he’s bigger than life.” 

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