Local Group To Begin Ninth Home
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
While Habitat for Humanity International celebrates its 25th anniversary in Indianapolis this evening, plans are underway for the ninth Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County Inc. home.
To be situated on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue in Warsaw, dedication of the land and groundbreaking is set for Sept. 30.
"This is one of the answers to meeting the needs of people in the community who wouldn't be able to get a home otherwise," said Harlan Steffan, a board member of the local organization.
The third Warsaw house, sponsored by R.R. Donnelley and Sons, joins one in Milford and North Webster, two in Syracuse and two in Enchanted Hills, east of Syracuse.
Donnelley retiree Don Kispert will serve as foreman on the project and the publishing company's employees will provide labor to build the house.
The new homeowners are expected to put a lot of sweat equity into their home, too, Steffan said.
"The families feel like they belong to that house," he said. "They're involved with planning, with the construction or help in getting volunteers organized. It depends on their capabilities.".
Unlike the "blitz" of building underway in Indianapolis this summer, the Kosciusko County group builds about one home a year. Each have been sponsored by a business or church and their volunteers.
The county Habitat board is composed of volunteers like Steffen, who have full-time jobs and other responsibilities.
Steffen, broker-owner of Steffan Real Estate, is the pastor of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel.
"Habitat is such a wonderful program," he said. "Everytime we have a dedication and I see a new family going into a new home its an emotional experience.
"It is something that becomes a part of you. I believe in it so greatly."
Although he's never met former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, he jokes that he's Carter's Republican counterpart.
Carter, a long-time Habitat for Humanity International volunteer, will be the keynote speaker for the 25th anniversary celebration in Indianapolis today.
"I have a sense of gratitude that this experience has not only helped other people, it has expanded my own life," Carter said about helping to build homes with Habitat. "All of us who have faith in God study and learn one of the things fortunate people should do is reach out and get to know, and maybe minister to, the needs of those who are less fortunate than we are."
The event is scheduled for Conseco Fieldhouse, where thousands of Habitat volunteers, homeowners and workers will gather for a gala event at 8 p.m. Habitat's founder and president, Millard Fuller, will also speak attend today's event.
Habitat for Humanity International has become a global phenomenon, having helped more than half a million people move into simple, decent homes. Millions of volunteers have worked with homeowners to build 100,000 houses in more than 2,000 communities in 77 nations during its first quarter-century. [[In-content Ad]]
While Habitat for Humanity International celebrates its 25th anniversary in Indianapolis this evening, plans are underway for the ninth Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County Inc. home.
To be situated on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue in Warsaw, dedication of the land and groundbreaking is set for Sept. 30.
"This is one of the answers to meeting the needs of people in the community who wouldn't be able to get a home otherwise," said Harlan Steffan, a board member of the local organization.
The third Warsaw house, sponsored by R.R. Donnelley and Sons, joins one in Milford and North Webster, two in Syracuse and two in Enchanted Hills, east of Syracuse.
Donnelley retiree Don Kispert will serve as foreman on the project and the publishing company's employees will provide labor to build the house.
The new homeowners are expected to put a lot of sweat equity into their home, too, Steffan said.
"The families feel like they belong to that house," he said. "They're involved with planning, with the construction or help in getting volunteers organized. It depends on their capabilities.".
Unlike the "blitz" of building underway in Indianapolis this summer, the Kosciusko County group builds about one home a year. Each have been sponsored by a business or church and their volunteers.
The county Habitat board is composed of volunteers like Steffen, who have full-time jobs and other responsibilities.
Steffen, broker-owner of Steffan Real Estate, is the pastor of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel.
"Habitat is such a wonderful program," he said. "Everytime we have a dedication and I see a new family going into a new home its an emotional experience.
"It is something that becomes a part of you. I believe in it so greatly."
Although he's never met former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, he jokes that he's Carter's Republican counterpart.
Carter, a long-time Habitat for Humanity International volunteer, will be the keynote speaker for the 25th anniversary celebration in Indianapolis today.
"I have a sense of gratitude that this experience has not only helped other people, it has expanded my own life," Carter said about helping to build homes with Habitat. "All of us who have faith in God study and learn one of the things fortunate people should do is reach out and get to know, and maybe minister to, the needs of those who are less fortunate than we are."
The event is scheduled for Conseco Fieldhouse, where thousands of Habitat volunteers, homeowners and workers will gather for a gala event at 8 p.m. Habitat's founder and president, Millard Fuller, will also speak attend today's event.
Habitat for Humanity International has become a global phenomenon, having helped more than half a million people move into simple, decent homes. Millions of volunteers have worked with homeowners to build 100,000 houses in more than 2,000 communities in 77 nations during its first quarter-century. [[In-content Ad]]