77-Year-Old Builds 55 Homes Across 3 Continents

David "Ziggy" Ziegler earned his nickname the old-fashioned way: by mixing cement so fast in Nicaragua that local workers couldn't believe he was a 77-year-old retired satellite engineer from Denver.

Since 1999, Ziggy has volunteered on 55 home builds across Europe, Central America, South America, and disaster zones throughout the United States. He's helped families rebuild after tornadoes in Kentucky and devastating fires in Oregon, but his favorite moments happen during weeklong international builds.

"When you are there for a week building with the homeowner, it's inspiring to see the joy on their face as we work together to construct their home," Ziggy says. He's witnessed firsthand how a simple concrete floor instead of dirt can prevent serious health problems for entire families.

One moment stands out among decades of service. Returning to El Salvador years after helping build a home, Ziggy reconnected with Rosa and her family. She thanked him for giving her children a place to sleep without a dirt floor, something that had caused ongoing health issues.

The Ripple Effect

Ziggy volunteers through Habitat for Humanity's partnership with Thrivent, a financial services organization that has contributed over $283 million to affordable housing efforts since 2005. More than 824,000 volunteers have joined Thrivent-sponsored builds, constructing or repairing over 7,400 homes globally.

The retired engineer splits his time between the Aurora ReStore in Denver and international builds. At 77, he shows no signs of slowing down because he's discovered something that keeps him going back.

"Instead of focusing on yourself, it motivates you to do some good by giving," Ziggy explains. The perspective shift that comes from building alongside families in need has become as valuable as the homes themselves.

Every volunteer hour and every bag of cement Ziggy mixes proves that retirement doesn't mean stepping back from making a difference.