Volunteer
Orientation
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County (HFHMC) is an independent affiliate of a global, nonprofit housing organization Habitat for Humanity International operated on Christian principles. We seek to put God’s love into action by building strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter. Habitat for Humanity International's vision is to achieve a world where everyone has a decent, affordable, and safe place to call home.
Volunteer Requirements
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Volunteers under 18 must have parent/guardian approval.
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Volunteers 14 or 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. We cannot accept volunteers younger than 14 years old.
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After an orientation is complete, we will do a basic background check.
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Volunteers with a history of violence, sexual offences or theft will be disqulified. Other offenses will be considered on a case by case basis
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Watch to learn how donated items help Habitat
Ways to Donate
Drop Off
Items may be dropped off Monday-Saturday
10am- 4:30pm
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Donors can use the east drive to pull into the drive thru area
scheduled
pick up
We will pick up large items for FREE
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Service area includes all of McLean County
How to schedule a pickup
Schedule online at bnrestore.org/donate
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Schedule by phone
309.454.6047
Financially
Monetary donations are always welcome
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Visit bnrestore.org/donate for more information
Acceptable Donations
Appliances
Fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, and more
Decorations & Household Items
Artwork, picture frames, books, collectibles, glassware, and more
Tools
Hammers, screwdrivers, saws, wrenches, drills, mowers, and more
Building Materials
Hardware, flooring, doors, windows, lumber, roofing, and more
Electronics
Flat-panel TVs, DVD players, video games, stereos, and more
Clothing
Adult Clothes, kids's clothes, accessorties, shoes
Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, countertops, and more
Furniture
Couches, chairs, dressers, headboards, desks, bookshelves, and more
Items we cannot accept
A full list of unacceptable items can be found on a large sign in the drive thru lane as well as at bnrestore.org/donate
Pricing
Art vs. Science
Pricing at the ReStore is a mixture of art and science. Generally, we like to keep our prices lower than you will find elsewhere, especially compared to retail. When we receive new items, we attempt to find the lowest price out there... and then go lower. When pricing used items, you should consider similar items in the store, any noticeable damage, signs of wear/age, brand, condition, supply, demand, and uniqueness. Often, we stay competitive with garage sales, Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay. Ultimately, our primary goal is to make as much as we can to promote the home-building ministry of Habitat for Humanity, but we still want to ensure we have the best deals available!
Changing Prices
Once an item has been priced and brought into the showroom, only a manager can change the price. Customers will frequently ask to negotiate, but out of fairness to all customers, we do not change prices for individual customers. Instead, we rely upon a color discount system. The color-coded price tags switch weekly. Once an item has been in the ReStore approximately 1 week, those colored tags become 15% off. After 2weeks, the price drops to 25% off, and after 3 weeks, the price is 50% off. After 4 weeks, it goes to 85% off. This ensures that overpriced items will automatically be marked down if they do not sell. If a customer thinks a price is too high, they can wait for it to be discounted... but they also risk someone else buying it before then.
Items without Prices
Sometimes customers will ask you to price an item without a price tag. Since nothing should leave the processing area without a price tag, that means someone has removed the tag from the item. For larger items, this is the way a customer "claims" an item while they are still shopping. Rather than carry a couch around with them, they can carry the tag, and no one else is permitted to purchase that item. However, if the item is not purchased by the end of the business day, it is repriced and made available for sale the following day.
Volunteer Purchases
All donations are property of the ReStore and may not be taken without being purchased or given authorization from the ReStore manager. Removing items without approval is a violation of HFHMC policy and will result in dismissal from the ReStore.
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If you wish to purchase an item, you can do so in one of two ways. Any item that has been in the showroom for a minimum of 48 hours can be purchased using the volunteer discount of 15%. This practice helps avoid the perception that staff and volunteers price the best items artificially low, so they can save themselves money. Items priced too low should sell before the 48-hour mark. If you have a need for something that has not been on the floor 48 hours, a manager must price the item for you.
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Other Shopping Policies
Items sold at the ReStore are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and with the exception of warrantied items, everything is sold as is.
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To be fair to the customers who are shopping at the store, the ReStore does not "hold" any items for people until an item has been purchased. Once an item has been purchased, the store will hold it in our sold room for up to 3 business days while the customer makes transportation arrangements.
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The ReStore provides a 15-day warranty for all appliances and other items that cannot be fully tested before purchase. All other items are sold as is. The ReStore is unable to provide returns or exchanges for items unless they have a warranty. We encourage everyone to measure twice to ensure they purchase the right items!
Please watch this video on ReStore safety
Code of Conduct
Every person at any Habitat activity is entitled to be treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect. Staff and volunteers are expected to be polite, honest, clean, helpful, safe, and attentive to all customers and donors.
Consistent with our policy, we do not tolerate any of the following:
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Verbal abuse, insults, and/or demeaning remarks
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Any uninvited physical contact
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Display of offensive objects, pictures, or gestures
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Repeated, unwelcome flirtation or discussions of a sexual nature
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Implying or directly requesting or demanding sexual favors
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Profanity or vulgarity
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Inactive participation
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Smoking in non-designated areas
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Being in an unauthorized area without management approval
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Harassment or discrimination based on sex, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, marital status, age, disability, color, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or other protected status
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HFHMC reserves the right to dismiss anyone from an event or worksite who engages in activities prohibited by this policy and to bar such persons from coming to any events or worksites in the future.
Dress Code
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Wear clothes that can get dirty or even ripped
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Closed-toed shoes are required
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Shorts must be longer than one's fingertips
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No offensive graphics may be displayed
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Casual, yet professional
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No sweat pants, yoga pants, skirts, cut-up shirts, tank tops, or other clothes deemed inappropriate for a work environment​
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You're almost done!
Thank you for participating in the Habitat ReStore's virtual orientation. We hope you found this information useful and are excited to start your volunteer experience at the ReStore. While we know we cannot cover everything, we hope this provides you a foundation for success. Our managers and staff are always available to help, and they will make sure you are well-equipped to serve at the ReStore. To let us know you have completed your orientation, please submit a short 10-question, open-note quiz to our managers. They will then send you instructions on how to get started volunteering!