Helping Hands: Summer Students Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity ReStore

At the end of July, 12 co-op and summer students from SaskEnergy spent two days volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Regina.

For Samarth Soni, a co-op student in our Enterprise Networks team, it was his first time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. He said the experience was more than just helping out for a few hours.

“It quickly became something much more meaningful,” Samarth said. “It was eye-opening to see how even small tasks can make a big difference when people work together.”

The students came together from different departments throughout the company to help sort donated items, salvage reusable materials, and learn how Habitat for Humanity gives new life to things like light fixtures and lumber. Their work supported Habitat’s goal of building affordable homes and protecting the environment through recycling and reuse.

Co-op students Marina Dawson and Brylee Jeffries say they enjoyed working with others and being outside.

“It was nice to get to know some of the other students better while helping a good cause,” says Brylee.

“The best part of my day was connecting with the other students,” Marina adds. “We have a great little community at SaskEnergy, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

The volunteer event was organized by fellow co-op student Kya Ladouceur as part of her role with SaskEnergy’s Community Engagement team. She worked with Habitat for Humanity to set up the opportunity for her fellow students.

“It was a great way to help a bigger cause,” Kya says. “Lots of people benefit from the reusable items at the ReStore — not just for building homes, but also for furniture, clothing, and tools.”

This event was part of SaskEnergy’s long-standing support for volunteerism. The company is celebrating 25 years as Saskatchewan’s Champion of Volunteers and is proud to support community events and programs throughout the province.

“The day at Habitat for Humanity was a great way to showcase employee volunteerism and the value it brings to the value it brings to the community, the volunteers, organizations like Habitat for Humanity and even to our own workplace,” says Allix Schweitzer, SaskEnergy’s Supervisor of Community Engagement.

The students took part in many tasks, such as cleaning the salvage yard, organizing wood and metal, and unloading donations. These items will be sold at the ReStore at lower prices, which makes home improvement more accessible for individuals and families with limited budgets.

As they volunteered, the students weren’t just helping Habitat for Humanity — they were building friendships, learning new things, and showing the values that make SaskEnergy a great place to work.

“Volunteering with other students helped me connect with people outside of our regular work,” Samarth says. “I learned more about their backgrounds and departments, and it made me appreciate the teamwork at SaskEnergy. It also showed me how much the company supports giving back to the community.”