Dan Francis is a fascinating man. He is articulate, has a master’s degree in Theater History, taught for many years at prestigious universities, and started his own business as an architectural photographer, all with his wife Stretch at his side. He makes lifelong friends and pursues his passions with…passion.

You will find Dan volunteering at Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s Habistore. He started volunteering there on Saturdays and then added Wednesdays. That was three years ago, now, and he is still there, helping customers, teaching new volunteers the ropes and driving all over Tucson to pick up donations. He calls himself the ‘Ace Hardware Guy,’ he knows a little bit about a lot of things. Dan loves how his work at the store helps people turn their houses into homes.

Dan volunteers for Habitat because when he sells something at the Habistore, for $10, $100, or more, he delights in the knowledge that each of those dollars will be used to buy another piece of drywall or more nails or 2-by-4s for a Habitat home. For Dan, homeownership is a bridge for families to become salient members of their community and that’s why he volunteers at the HabiStore.

Dan, like so many Habitat volunteers, sees how important it is to build people homes. While his profession in photography takes him to million dollar homes, his heart puts him at the HabiStore, where people’s lives are changed in ways that are immeasurable…just like his contribution to Habitat for Humanity.

By: Interviewed and Written by Volunteer Teresa Terry