Dave Hurley has been living in the NWT for almost 50 years.
"I tell people I'm from Newfoundland, but Yellowknife's home," he said to NNSL Media on Wednesday.
He's also one of the co-founders of Habitat for Humanity NWT, having helped start it as a charity organization in 2012 when a group of volunteers from Elks Lodge 314 in Yellowknife. Hurley's been president of the organization that whole time.
The long-time volunteer was given some just due on May 15 as he received an award from the national organizations. It awarded 12 local groups for providing housing solutions to their communities across the country. Hurley received the Terry Petkau Legacy Award at Habitat for Humanity Canada's 2024 National Conference.
"To receive the award was definitely a great honour," he said. "It was something I didn't even know I was going to get."
As nice as it was, Hurley said he didn't get into volunteering for awards, he got into it because he believes in it.
"You hope to make a difference in somebody's life," he said.
And that he has, as recently as Wednesday. One of Habitat for Humanity's latest houses was put in the hands of another family in Yellowknife, said Hurley.
"It's a wonderful feeling to be able to provide homes to families who, probably without Habitat, would never have a house."
The newest house is also the seventh house Habitat has made in Yellowknife. A family in Hay River was also the recipients of a brand new home.
"It's a really 'feel good' situation," said Hurley. "There's no downside to this."
The family getting their new home is a couple with kids, said Hurley. He added he met them last year, and they're pretty excited about the news.
With 10 grandchildren of his own, eight of which live in Yellowknife, Hurley stressed two things: he's not going anywhere and the north has been pretty good to him.
It makes his work a way of giving back, he said.
But his time as president of the organization will most likely be coming to an end as he plans to step down from the role.
"It's going to happen either this week or next week," he chuckled. "After 13 years, it's time for somebody else."