With construction experience behind him, Donnie Wade brought valuable skills to RHI when he began volunteering seven years ago.
After a career in construction, the former U.S. Navy Seabee and Vietnam veteran decided “to use my gift from God to help others in need. I love to serve others.”
Donnie, who is a member of the RHI board of directors, has repaired mobile homes, built wheelchair ramps, hauled trash, served food and worked at “whatever God asks of me.”
Encouraged by friends to volunteer at RHI, Donnie says that he values “being around my brothers and sisters in Christ” and seeing “God work through the hearts of his children.”
Volunteering has been “wonderful for me. The goal is witnessing, and the things we do open the door for us to do that,” says the Poquoson, Va., native.
“When you see someone in a wheelchair come down the ramp for the first time, it just warms your heart that you had a little piece of that,” he says.
Donnie and his wife, Sunnie, have been married for 53 years. They have three daughters, one of whom is deceased.
“She is one of the biggest reasons for my special interest about the ramps,” Donnie says. “Our daughter had ALS, and she was so happy when she rolled down that ramp for the first time.”
The couple also has 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
When they have leisure time, the couple enjoys boating.