Volunteer Bob Measures Up with Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Coffee Tables!
A carpenter by trade, Bob has been woodworking since he was 10 years old. Equipped with his toolbelt, Bob worked on construction projects across the country, and, for the last 40 years, he operated his own construction company and was later employed by a large corporation in the Twin Cities.
When Bob retired, he found his perfect niche as a woodshop volunteer at Bridging. Since 2022, he has volunteered Wednesday and Friday mornings in the Bloomington woodshop.
Within each Bridging warehouse is a team of skilled woodworking volunteers who repair and refurbish items that meet quality standards but may need some extra attention before becoming available on the warehouse shelves.
The Bridging woodshops — and electrical shops, also staffed by volunteers — play a significant role in Bridging’s service model by increasing inventory selection for individuals who shop at Bridging and decreasing the number of household items that end up in the landfill.
Alongside the woodworking team, Bob has given a second life to dining room tables, bookshelves, coffee tables, end tables, bedside tables, and more. And each fix entails creativity and craftsmanship.
One morning, while repairing a large kitchen table, Bob took a closer look at two table leaves that were secured to the underside of the table.
“Normally, there are one or two leaves with each dining table, and often they’ve never been used. Usually they’re in really good shape,” he says. “And a lot of times people can’t fit a really large table in a small apartment.”
Bob decided to build coffee tables using the extra table leaves. He uses one leaf for the tabletop and the other for the apron (sides underneath the table) and the legs.
“There’s a simple process: Cut the second leaf into parts, assemble the table, and stain it,” he says “And all Bridging has to pay for is four plywood squares and glue for the assembly. It’s a freebie for Bridging.”
Each coffee table takes about three hours to make, and so far, Bob has built eight coffee tables.
The most satisfying moment for Bob is knowing that each coffee table is going home with someone who will enjoy it in their home.
“We’ll put the finished coffee tables out in the warehouse aisle, and they’re gone in a day,” he says. “It’s fun to see people shopping. They’ll say how happy they are, getting everything they need. They’re furnishing their whole home. It’s pretty great.”
Thank you to Bob and all the Bridging woodshop and electrical shop volunteers for sharing your many talents!