MENTONE – Tippecanoe Valley High School student Nolan Sponseller walked into the Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko office last spring in need of a project to successfully complete his participation in the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. After this past weekend, a special needs family will no longer have to worry about their safety entering and exiting their home thanks to his efforts. On Saturday, more than a dozen Tippecanoe Valley football players helped build a ramp and deck for a Mentone family with a child with Angelman Syndrome. It is a neuro-genetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual and developmental disability, sleep disturbance, seizures, jerky movements, frequent laughter or smiling, and an usually happy demeanor. As the child has grown, safely getting into and out of the house because a major issue that Habitat was able to address through the “A Brush with Kindness” program. The players, along with volunteer leaders, were able to get much of the work done Saturday so that the crew from Walnut Creek United Methodist Church only had a light day on Monday finishing things off. In addition to the ramp and deck, the players spent Saturday afternoon completing an extraction of a home overgrown with trees, shrubs and vines, exposing the windows, as well as the occupants, to the light of the sun. Habitat’s “A Brush with Kindness” program assists low-income families in repairing and renovating their homes so they can continue to live in safe, decent homes. An aspect of the program is the ability to use youth as volunteers, making a positive difference within their community. Projects include painting, landscaping, weatherization and minor repair services to the exterior of homes. Families interested in help via Habitat’s interest-free loan programs can call or contact Habitat at 574-269-4104 or info@kosciuskohabitat.com Those interested in volunteering with Habitat can visit www.kosciuskohabitat.com and click on the green volunteer link at the top of the page to register.
