Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on a new home for Anthony and Micah Gitelson

 

[April 26, 2022] 

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County broke ground Sunday afternoon on the future home of Anthony Gitelson and his son Micah. The Gitelson home will be the 27th building project of HFH in Logan County. Construction of this home will be done by the Lincolnland Technical Education Center Building Trades class under the direction of LTEC Director Matt Puckett and Building and Trades instructor John Ford. The construction of the home will begin with the new school year in August.

A small crowd gathered at 330 Fourth Street in Lincoln on Sunday afternoon to participate in and observe the traditional ground breaking ceremony conducted at each new building site by the HFH. On hand from the city of Lincoln were Mayor Tracy Welch and Ward Two aldermen Sam Downs and Tony Zurkammer. The new home is located in Lincoln’s Ward Two. Before the ceremony began, Gitelson was introduced to Welch and the two aldermen serving his ward. Also on hand for the groundbreaking from the city was Alderman Rick Hoefle.



The day began with HFH President Tonita Reifsteck calling the city representatives as well as HFH board members Carrie Osborn, Laura Sandrolini and Jane Ryan and Puckett, Ford, and Hoefle to join her behind the shovels in the empty lot.



Reifsteck noted as she opened the ceremony that in spite of predictions, the event was being blessed with no rain or wind and she was thankful.

She went immediately to Mayor Welch asking him and the aldermen to speak on behalf of the city.



Welch began by thanking Reifsteck for the invitation to attend and words of congratulations to the Keelsons. He went on to say that he was aware that the recipients had to put in their sweat equity to earn a home with HFH. He said he was thankful for the quality housing that HFH provides in the community.

Zurkammer spoke next saying that he also wanted to congratulate the Eielson's. He said he was happy to see HFH re-purpose the empty lot that had been vacant for a number of years. He told the Gitelsons to please reach out to him if they ever have any questions or concerns.



Downs spoke also, echoing much of what had been said by Welch and Zurkammer. He added that the two are building their future in a “great ward and a great city.”

Reifsteck then led the first litany, the Litany of Purpose.



Pastor Spencer McPherson was then called on to read scriptures. He chose readings from Psalms 9:18, Proverbs 3:27-28, Acts 2:44-47 and Matthew 6:19.

Reifsteck said that the HFH board has a home selection committee. She said that it is a rigorous process that the Gitelsons went through in order to qualify for their home. She noted multiple visits from board members and the many qualifications they had to meet.

Habitat board member Carrie Osborn then led the Litany of Promise.

Puckett and Ford were then called on to speak.



Puckett said that the project was a ‘win-win’ for the students at LTEC and also HFH. He said it was a great experience for the students and he looked forward to seeing their end result, probably in May of 2023.



Ford said he agreed with what Puckett had said, and he too is looking forward to the new school year and the new build. He noted that home building is a big challenge right now due to shortages and high prices, but he is hopeful that all will go well in the new building project.

Laura Sandrolini then spoke specifically about the process and the work that has been done to achieve this goal by the Gitelson. She said that he had for the last few years worked hard to get his business affairs in order. He had achieved goals such as improving his work status and his financial standing so that he is able to support his home once it is completed.



Reifsteck then invited Anthony Gitelson to join her in the line to recite the Litany of Hope. She then led the Litany of Faith.

Next was the time for turning the soil. The first shovels were turned by Pastor McPherson and the members of the board. Then the city representatives and the Gitelsons were invited to take their turn with Anthony’s son Micah joining in the process.

When that was finished, Reifsteck invited those watching to come also and turn a shovel. Among the group doing so were two future home recipients.



The last part of the program included an opportunity for Anthony Gitelson to speak. He paused briefly, saying that he was never one to speak in front of people. He said that in his life, he feels he has been a loner who didn’t need others. However, he had learned that he did need others and he did need good relationships. He said he was thankful for the relationships he is building with the folks at Habitat for Humanity.

The event then ended with a closing prayer from Pastor McPherson. Before the prayer he said that the Bible tells us that unless the Lord builds a house, then God is not in it. He said that his prayer would be that God would be in the building of this house and would preside in the home when the Gitelsons move into it. In his prayer he asked that the Lord bless the build and bless the family.

Reifsteck ended saying that she hoped folks would keep an “eye on this site, and keep an eye on other activities that will be going on within the city.” At the Tuesday, April 26th meeting of the Lincoln City Council, aldermen will discuss permitting a quick claim deed to the HFH for a house at 1017 Tremont. If approved, the structure will be refurbished by Habitat and turned over to a new recipient at some point in the future.

[Nila Smith]