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 The 25th home build started in 2020 in the midst
of Coronavirus-19. The pandemic that halted activities all around
the country had its impact on the home build as well. Because the
house was built in partnership with the Lincolnland Technical
Education Center Building and Trades Class, at the time of
dedication there were still a few details missing from the home,
such as bathroom vanities and kitchen countertops. Nonetheless, it
was a day of great celebration and expectation that the unfinished
work would be wrapped up in the next week or so.
The day began with HFH Board President Tonita Reifsteck calling
everyone’s attention to the group assembled on the front porch of
the new home. Guests present in addition to the HFH Board members
included Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch and Ward 2 Aldermen Sam Downs and
Ron Fleshman. Building and Trades instructor John Ford was also on
hand along with some of the students from this year’s class and LTEC
Director Matt Puckett.
Reifsteck welcomed all the guests and noted that with recent
loosening of restrictions toward social distancing and wearing of
masks, those who were fully vaccinated would be permitted to enter
the home later without a face covering. She asked that anyone who
was not fully vaccinated wear masks inside the home out of respect
for the family.
Mayor Welch was the first person to speak after the welcome. Welch
commented that it was a great thing that the HFH does, not only for
the people who receive the homes, but also for the city. He said it
was remarkable to see what had come from the groundbreaking to this
point with a great new home in the community.
Alderman Downs was the next to speak, echoing much of what Welch had
said and adding, “Lincoln is a beautiful town and we have some
beautiful and amazing people. He went on to say he wanted to say
thank you to HFH for all they have done.
Alderman Ron Fleshman made a brief statement also, adding his words
of appreciation to those of Welch and Downs.
HFH Vice President Marc Schoonover then led in the Litany of
Dedication. After the litany, he led the group in prayer expressing
thankfulness for Stacy Bannister and Ed Coombs who donated the land
for the home and the LTEC students who worked to help bring it
about.
Cince Bowns then led the Litany of Community Support.
For the HFH the building team Bob Chamberlain served as foreman.
John Ford led the LTEC students.
Chamberlain said that he wanted to say a big thanks to Ford and his
students for putting in all the effort to make the empty lot a home.
He noted that this is the third home built in partnership between
HFH and the Building and Trades class, and the students have been a
wonderful addition and asset to the building process. He added
another thanks to the LTEC program and its director Matt Puckett.
Ford started out by thanking Matt Puckett and then talked about the
build. He said there were 17 students in all who had worked on the
project. While the build had gone well, it had not always gone
smoothly. Issues that impacted the daily lives of all during the
pandemic had also had a large impact on the build. He said that the
students had remote learning and shortened school days and there had
been other complications. He said that the end result was a certain
amount of uncertainty regarding the timeline for the build. He also
noted that the house is still lacking some details, like the
vanities and countertops. He was confident that the home would be
move-in ready within the next week or so.
The students who worked on the 2021 home include: Dave Arkebauer,
Brayden Bova, Jayden Courtney, Noah Erickson, Brayden Furlow, Nathan
Garriot, Logan Giacomini, Eyon Golden, Drexel Guffey, Zane Hartman,
Terrance Hyde, Riley Irwin, Nate Ladage, Sarick Morgan, Hunter
Riley, Zane Thixton and Kaden Tibbs.
Ford also acknowledged those in the community that had also
contributed to the build - Mark Sherman, Tarter Brothers, Sherwin
Williams, Carpet House, and Pat Lee who contributed building
materials and other assistance.
Reifsteck called White’s children Zachary and Sophia to come forward
as she presented them with the Habitat story book that all children
receive at the home dedication.
HFH Board member Jaimie Voyles then presented White with a family
Bible from the board of directors. Voyles then offered up the prayer
of blessing for the home and the family.
Finally, it was the time that White was waiting for, the turning
over of the keys. She came to the porch and stood between
Chamberlain and Ford.
One at a time, the men each handed White a key to her new home
starting with Chamberlain.
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White said, “If it wasn’t for the high school kids and Habitat, I
would not have this home, so I send out a big thank you and shout
out to all those kids.”
There was a light hearted moment, making fun of some intense
conversations between White and Ford when Ford said there had been a
time or two that he thought White might take his key away from him.
They laughed at the disagreements they had over the color of the
house, and White said that it all ended out well, that she really
loved the color now.
The official ceremony ended with the reading of the poem “Bless This
House.” Reifsteck remembered the late John Sutton who used to bring
his guitar and lead the group in singing the song. With Sutton’s
passing, she said that there wouldn’t be any singing, but asked that
everyone join her in the reading.
Before going in to take a tour of the home, there was
another order of business that needed tending. Each year, HFH
recognizes members of the board and members of the community who
have gone above and beyond to keep HFH going strong in Logan County.
This year there were five recognitions that needed to be made.
The first was presented to Justin Dietrich by board member Cince
Bowns. Dietrich was the Building and Trades instructor on the first
of the three homes build in partnership between LTEC and HFH.
Dietrich was not present for the recognition.
The next was given to Jack Reichle, who provided the leadership for
the LTEC in the second home built in partnership. Reifsteck said
that Reichle was an invaluable asset that had worked hard to make
the home build successful.
He had worked so hard in fact, that he had since retired to Florida.
Reichle was not present for the recognition. Reifsteck said that his
certificate would be mailed to him.
The third certificate went to the LTEC leader on the third build,
John Ford.
Spud Newhouse was the fourth recipient of an award on Sunday
afternoon. He also was not present, but Reifsteck had a theory on
that. She noted that Spud has always been her go-to-guy for anything
she needed help getting done. In jest Reifsteck said he might have
chosen not to attend, afraid she would put him to work yet again.
The final award for this year went to Cince Bowns. Bowns is a
long-time member of the HFH board and former president. She has
worked as a family support person in the process of building their
homes. Bowns is leaving the board, but not leaving HFH. Reifsteck
said that she will continue to serve as a volunteer and will work in
family support.
Bowns was then called upon to offer up the closing prayer.
With all ceremonies over, guests were invited to come inside and
take a tour of the new home and enjoy some refreshments.
The three bedroom home is built with an open floorplan living,
dinning, kitchen area that includes a built-in pantry closet in the
kitchen area. The laundry room is in the hallway that leads to the
side door of the home and includes a large utility/coat closet.
The bedrooms are very specific to the new owners with Zachary’s room
being painted a light blue and Sophia’s a bright pink. The bedroom
that will be Nicole’s is a master suite with a bathroom and a
walk-in closet.
A hall bathroom with tub and shower completes the layout of the
home.
After all the ceremonies, guests were anxious to get inside and take
a good look around.
During the tour, many enjoyed a cookie and bag of Russell Stover
candy along with a cool drink.
Habitat for Humanity strives to build one home per year in Logan
County. While many homes have been built in Lincoln there are also
homes scattered about in other communities.
To become eligible for a home, there is an application process that
a prospective homeowner must complete. There is also a requirement
to invest sweat equity in HFH projects including other home builds,
volunteer work at the Habitat Warehouse and work on their own home.
Approved applicants must also work with their mentors learning the
responsibilities of home ownership and money management.
When the keys are turned over, the homeowner signs a 25-year mortgage with HFH
and must make payments on their home. If they maintain their
payments in a timely fashion, they do become eligible for discounts
on their payments.
Habitat is always seeking applicants for new construction homes as
well as donations of land, materials or cash to help secure future
builds in Logan County.
If you have an interest in supporting HFH, board members would love
to hear from you.
Habitat for Humanity of Logan County - Link
Email:
hfh@habitatlogan.org
Phone: 217-732-6412
[Nila Smith] |
