Volunteer: Pete Mills

“I am only one…but can do something”– Pete Mills

By Jim Coppinger, Milestone Senior Services Volunteer

When Peter (Pete) Mills came across a quotation by Edward Everett Hale, Pete says it perfectly captured his personal philosophy about volunteering; it reads, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

Well, fortunately for Kalamazoo (where he’s lived all his life) and its surrounding communities, Pete Mills is able to do many things. Building is probably one of Pete’s greatest talents. When he was twenty-two, he decided to build and fl y his own airplane. He had already been a pilot for a few years and it turned out aviation would become his lifelong career. The plane he built from scratch was a biplane and it took him seven years to complete its construction. Pete fl ew that plane along with his wife Gail as “co-pilot” for thirty years before donating it to Lansing Community College as a training aid to teach students.

Pete retired from Duncan Aviation in 2020 as chief inspector, overseeing aircraft maintenance and repair. His professional career began there in 1978 when the business was Kal Aero.

Over the year’s Pete has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity both in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. He says he really enjoys building ramps for people with disabilities. He also says while building or refurbishing entire homes is rewarding, it only helps a relative handful of people over a year; but building ramps with a team of volunteers in a day, has a signifi cant impact on the life of that resident— and better yet, many people over a single year—111 to be exact last year. Pete is now part of a terrifi c team of twenty-two volunteers here in Kalamazoo at Milestone Senior Services. He says the teamwork and fellowship they experience is gratifying and rewarding. But, they can always use help to keep up with demand. No matter what someone’s building and construction experience is, there’s always a spot to fi ll and for the opportunity to learn on-site with fellow team members. The construction team has tools and materials—it just needs the people to put them to good use. And, many of the construction volunteers prefer to use their own basic tools and that’s more than welcome. All Milestone is looking for is someone with the desire to contribute their time at least once a week.

So, it you would like to see what this is all about or to volunteer, Pete would love to welcome you to the team. Just call Milestone at (269) 382-0515. As Hale stated, “I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” Your “something” matters. Milestone Senior Services (previously known as Senior Services of Southwest Michigan) is an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee. AmeriCorps Seniors empowers people age 55 and older to serve their communities. Milestone helps people fi nd a volunteer opportunity that fi ts their passion. There are currently opportunities in Kalamazoo County and a few in Calhoun County. Volunteers are needed with Meals on Wheels, Companionship Calls or Visits, Transportation, Home Repair and Ramp Builds and more with area nonprofi ts. Regular, fl exible schedules available. Contact Milestone’s Volunteer Services at 269-382-0515 or apply to volunteer at www.milestoneseniorservices.org.