Volunteer Spotlight: Issue 2

Meet Duane Peter of Pagosa Springs and Plano, Tx.

Duane Peter said that he had very limited building experience when he started volunteering for Habitat Archuleta 5 years ago. Since then, he’s assisted in building six houses and “feels much more confident in solving problems when building things.”

“The people at Habitat are really good about training you and giving you the experience to tackle projects on your own,” he said. “[To volunteer] you mainly need a desire to learn and the ability to put in a decent workday.”

He added that there’s enough different tasks on the jobs site that not everybody needs to be lifting heavy timbers, for example.

“There’s a variety of skill levels that are required and a variety of jobs that people can do that they’re comfortable with,” he noted.

Duane spends his winters in Texas but has owned a home in Pagosa Springs since 2011. As of his retirement 4 years ago, he and his wife live here full-time in the summers.

Mr. Peter spent his entire career as an archaeologist. He served as the vice president and director of archaeology and history studies within an environmental company.

“It was a great experience. I got to tell the stories of people who don’t necessarily make the history books,” he said.

He added he likes to be outdoors, specifically hiking and watching wildlife.

“When you have bears and mountain lions come through your backyard, we love that,” he said.

Duane said that throughout his life, he’s stressed that a person “ought to be a member of the community and contribute in some way.”

“My wife and I have been fortunate, and not everyone has the same opportunities in life,” he added. “If I can do anything to help somebody else grasp that next opportunity…I just feel good that I’m contributing in some manner.”

He added, “Habitat’s really good in that you’re giving people a hand up, not a handout. I just think those of us that are fortunate in life ought to be extending a hand to help somebody else perhaps have those same opportunities.”

Duane said that, as a second homeowner in the county, it’s important that the workforce has a place to live.

“If you don’t have anything in a community to provide for the workforce, there may not be a community eventually,” he said.

Habitat Archuleta is recruiting volunteers to join Duane on the build sites for our 2024 season. We’re also looking for local businesses and organizations to “Adopt a Weekend,” which would entail 4-6 people spending a Friday and Saturday giving a “hand up” in our community. To learn more about this advertising and team building opportunity, contact us at office@habitatarchuleta.org or call 970-264-6960.