On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Gary Varsava, a long-time volunteer of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce, was awarded the prestigious King Charles III’s Coronation Medal in recognition of his outstanding volunteer efforts.
The medal is presented to only 30,000 people across Canada and recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to their community.
Since 2002, Gary has been a valued volunteer and member of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce. He has dedicated over 1,150 days at Habitat’s Build sites with the construction team and has served 12 years on the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board of Directors, including the role of Treasurer.
Remarkably, Gary has played a crucial role in constructing 63 Habitat homes across Grey and Bruce counties and currently serves as an essential member of the new Critical Repair Program.
In addition to his efforts in building affordable housing for local families, he has also volunteered his time to help renovate three Habitat ReStores and the head office in Owen Sound.
Beyond his work with our organization, Gary has volunteered twice internationally with Habitat for Humanity Canada in New Orleans, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
His positive attitude is contagious, and his valuable experience in the skilled trades greatly benefits our build team and volunteers alike. Volunteers who have had the privilege of working alongside Gary over the past two decades describe his commitment as inspiring. Many have joined him at the build sites regularly, gaining invaluable skills in the trades as he willingly shares his knowledge and experience.
Habitat Grey Bruce is honored to commend Gary for the positive impact his volunteering has had on the organization and the broader community, thanks to his hard work and dedication to advancing the mission and vision of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce.
About Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce: People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and purchase their home with a no-down payment, no-interest mortgage with payments set at 25 per cent of their income. Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce has served 138 adults and 212 children since 1987. With our help, Habitat homeowners are given the opportunity to thrive, enabling them to build a better life for themselves and their children. To learn more about how you can help create a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live visit our website: habitatgreybruce.ca.
