The Mauston Habitat ReStore was honored to host the State annual ReStore Conference on Monday, April 28, attended by representatives from ReStores around Wisconsin. Topics included development of marketing research tools, the Madison ReStore’s “Urban Wood” lumber recycling program, special donation projects, and gathering volunteer and donor data.

Representatives from ReStores in Appleton, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Marinette, Mauston, Milwaukee, New Richmond, Oshkosh, Plymouth, Sauk and Columbia counties, Sheboygan, Spooner, St. Croix Falls, Sturgeon Bay, Waukesha, Wausau, West Bend, and the UW-Extension office in Mauston were in attendance.

“This is a very dedicated group,” commented UW-Extension’s Gary Kirking, one of the presenters.

The Mauston ReStore staff discussed its program of donation pick-ups outside of Adams and Juneau counties. While there are 42 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Wisconsin, only 26 of them have ReStores, and many of them do not have ReStores. The Mauston ReStore has partnered with the Habitat for Humanity affiliates of Monroe, Wood, Marquette, Waushara, and Green Lake Counties to pick up donations and then share the profits.

“This Mauston ReStore effort not only helps to raise money to build houses, it also increases the profile of Habitat for Humanity throughout central Wisconsin,” said Jim Abbs, local Habitat board President. Just in the last year alone, the Mauston ReStore has helped raise over $55,000 with this program, and hopes that other ReStores will consider doing the same.