Milton Hunter's Heart of Gold
Reported by Erik Smith
Web produced by Katie Owens

Milton Hunter. Video

At a time when most men his age prefer to spend their days in a rocking chair, 83-year-old Milton Hunter would rather be refinishing or restoring furniture.

For all of his 80 plus years, Milton has had a love affair with wood furniture. He loves the smell of it, the feel of a freshly sanded surface, the special glow that radiates from beneath a fresh coat of varnish. He loves the secrets to be found in the flowing grain that is revealed only when layers of well-aged paint are carefully stripped away. For Milton, well, there's just nothing like good wood.

"I enjoy wood, and I have done it all my life. I had my own little shop. My first tool I bought was a turning lathe, and I decided to turn ball bats and sell them, and then I made enough money to buy a bench saw," Milton said.

Since 1981, Milton Hunter has been a mainstay at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit -- one of more than 200 members of the junior group of voluntary auxiliary that supports the mission of Goodwill.

He is, in fact, the only male member of the juniors. His job? To teach the fine points of restoration to his fellow volunteers.

Most pieces that are treated to the Milton Hunter touch can be found at one of Goodwill's local retail stores, but once each year the fine pieces are gathered -- those deemed to have real potential. They're restored and then transported to the Michigan State Fairgrounds for the Annual Goodwill Antique Show.

The show is a major fundraiser for the organization that provides year-round job training and placement services for those with disabilities or special needs.

But don't get the impression that working in wood is Milton's only post-occupation. He also volunteers at his church's open door food program. He is also busy with the Gleaners Food Bank in Detroit twice a month. And did we mention his work with Habitat for Humanity building houses?

Certainly it's no surprise that Milton Hunter has been honored with the United Way's Heart of Gold Award for all of his dedicated volunteer work. Only makes sense. After all, his heart is clearly in it for all of us.

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