16th Habitat groundbreaking May 15

[April 30, 2011]  A Lincoln family is hoping for a sunny day on May 15, when their dream of a home they can call their own will begin to come true. Come rain or come shine, on that day Habitat for Humanity of Logan County will welcome the public to the groundbreaking for its sixteenth Habitat home.

Eric and Teresa Baker and their two children will partner with Habitat to build their home at 1419 N. McLean St. in Lincoln. The lot for this home was donated to Habitat by William R. and Dianna L. Bishop. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place there at 2 p.m. May 15, with all in attendance welcome to turn over a shovelful of dirt.

The Baker home is made possible through the generosity of Robert J. Woods and Joan Jarrett Woods through the Woods Foundation.

Bob Chamberlain, Logan County Habitat board president, explained: "In 2008 we made a capacity build commitment to Habitat International that our affiliate would build or rehab three houses every two years. In 2010 we built a Habitat home in Elkhart and began rehabbing a home in Lincoln, which was completed in March of 2011. The grant from the Woods Foundation has made it possible for us to fulfill our commitment to build three homes for the 2010-2011 years with the construction of the Baker house this year. We are indeed grateful for the support of the Woods Foundation."

As a result of WUIS radio station’s promotion for their spring fundraiser, R.P. Lumber has donated the two-by-fours for the McLean Street house, and WUIS hopes to send some workers to help in the build.

According to Habitat board member Karen Sams Davis, "WUIS’ fundraiser was a success for WUIS and is a blessing for us, thanks to the two-by-fours from R.P. Lumber."

Participants in the groundbreaking ceremony will be Chamberlain, president of Habitat for Humanity of Logan County; Larry Martincic, family selection chair and mentor for the Baker family; Steve Schreiner, build foreman; the Rev. Father John Pham of Holy Family Catholic Church; Mayor Keith Snyder; Caleb Peacock, manager of R.P. Lumber; and William B. Bates, representing the Woods Foundation and its grant to Habitat.

When construction begins, Habitat will post information on their website, detailing the type of work to be done each day and a schedule for work crews who have signed up to help. Those who are not part of a work crew are welcome to just show up on a workday. Work for volunteers is generally scheduled from 8 to 3 on Fridays and Saturdays. Should construction have to be canceled on a scheduled day because of weather or some other reason, a notice will be posted on the website, www.hfhlogancounty.com, under the "Build Schedule" tab. All volunteers are encouraged to check the site.

For more information about home partnership with Habitat, call 217-732-6412 or contact Habitat at [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Habitat for Humanity of Logan County]