Barbara Seabolt - Quarterly Newsletter

Mecosta Habitat Family Circle

Quarterly Newsletter #2

Our (myself and my wife, Karen) first contact with Habitat came from our business as home builders. Our local and state builders associations had shared interests/events over the years and we became familiar with the Habitat Mission of bringing people together to build (affordable) homes and communities. Our involvement with Mecosta Habitat for Humanity came from a stop at the local store when it was located in Stanwood where Karen asked if they ever needed volunteer help; that earned her a regular volunteer job shift.

When I fully retired in 2017 I started working as a store volunteer and helping with home design and cost estimating. The first home project that I was involved with was on Bailey St. in Big Rapids in 2018. The Habitat insistence on basic designs, family needs, accessibility and energy efficiency are important in our ability to assure housing affordability in our community. Even with our volunteer labor and community assistance the building of newly constructed homes is extremely challenging and our two most recent major construction projects have been rehabilitation of existing homes.

In an effort to continue to provide and assure the availability of affordable housing we have greatly increased our emphasis on CHR (Critical Home Repairs) and assistance to veterans. Some of these projects are large home rehabilitations requiring labor from our volunteer construction staff, grant funding from various sources, and the use of proceeds from our ReStore.

Karen and I both volunteer at the Restore on a weekly basis (we are the book, CD, DVD, and old LP sorters). We both serve on the Board of Directors and I serve on the CHR committee. It is a pleasure to see the families when we complete a new project; to see their smiles and to know that they have a nice place to live going forward. When we think about the people our Habitat serves, it makes it very easy to work on the projects, volunteer at the store and feel good about it.

Lee Kitson-President

OUR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Volunteering on Habitat homes

I retired in 2008 and have been a MCHFH volunteer ever since. I went from being the “new guy” to being the senior volunteer in only 14 years! During that time I have learned building skills, how to emphasize volunteer safety, and had two tons of fun.
Our chapter has been able to help many area families. Helping them to move into safe, energy efficient, and affordable housing has been a rewarding experience. The time I have put in has been gratifying. Plus being active as a retiree keeps me flexible and upright.
As I reflect back on my MCHFH volunteer efforts, I remember all the co-workers that have become friends as well as the smiles I have seen as families have been able to move into a stable housing environment.

OUR CRITICAL HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

PARTNERING WITH DISABILITY ADVOCATES OF KENT COUNTY

Disability Advocates of Kent County was recently awarded a HUD grant entitled Older Americans Housing Modification Program. This grant targets 5 rural counties. During the application process, they reached out to Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity for support and partnership. We have started this process of collaboration with several clients in our area. Disability Advocates Occupational Therapy team provides a home assessment to evaluate the person’s risk and challenges they are having in staying safe at home. The goal of the program is to keep older Americans living safely in their homes, and to avoid going to assisted living or a nursing facility. Habitat’s role is to assist in finding contractors and completing home modifications for safety. This is an excellent collaboration, and we are excited to serve as many homeowners as possible to stay safe and independent. To be eligible for the program you must be 62 years of age, be a homeowner, and meet income guidelines.

OUR VETERANS PROGRAM

In 2019, our affiliate began an initiative to increase our focus on our deserving Veterans. We seek to assist Mecosta County Veterans in any way we are able with their housing issues. One such Veteran family speaks of their experience.

We would like to thank Habitat and Home Depot for helping us with our floors. We tried to save money to someday to do this myself but it just seemed to never get done or have enough money. Louie and his crew did such a wonderful job on everything. We were allowed to pick out the style/design of the flooring. When the team came to install the flooring they moved everything out of the starting area and tore up the old flooring and moved it out. They did a great job of installing the new flooring and when they were all done they put everything back and cleaned up and hauled the trash away. My wife and I were very pleased with the great job they had done. My wife had fallen so many times in the house because of our bad floors. Now I do not have to worry about her falling anymore. The floors have no transition they just go all the way through the house even the closets. They look so nice now. Thank you so very much,

Dave Westover, Retired MSgt. USAF

OUR DONORS - Our Foundation

MCHFH depends on the financial generosity of our community for all of our programs. Dee and Bruce have been friends and supporters of MCHFH for many years; here is their message.

When Bruce and Dee retired to Canadian Lakes in 2002, they were looking for activities to keep them busy. That is when Dee ran into Heidi Litobar who encouraged her to help with Habitat. That started Dee’s journey from helping with home tours at Canadian Lakes to joining the Board of Directors. Service on the Board was one of Dee’s favorite experiences including her years as Board Chair when she watched the affiliate continue to build and grow. She was so excited when the ReStore became a reality and volunteered for a few years there as well. Meanwhile, Bruce found activities to keep him busy but agreed that Habitat was a great organization. So he found a way to support Habitat and enjoy his favorite sport – golf. He has played in the annual golf outing for years and secures items for the silent auction along with providing lots of golf balls he finds while serving as a ranger at Tullymore Golf Course. One of the things Dee noted when homes were being turned over to new home owners was many of them did not have some of the basics needed for home ownership including basic tools. So one of their favorite “donations” now is a basic tool box compiled by Bruce to present to the new homeowner. Habitat remains on their annual donation list as one of their most important organizations to support. With “a hand up, not a hand out” key to the success of Habitat, they feel fortunate they can help make that happen for the wonderful families that Habitat serves.

Bruce Fredrick and Dee Van Horn

OUR VOLUNTEERS- Our Backbone

At Mecosta County Habitat, we could do nothing and would be nowhere without our very wonderful volunteers. We depend on volunteers to work at our ReStore, on our Home Construction sites and at our Critical Home Repair projects. We reached out to get one of our dedicated volunteers to speak to her experience.

After I retired (and finished all the projects I had been putting off) I started looking for something to keep me busy; something constructive; something to help me meet more people.

I didn’t want to do just anything. I’ve been fortunate in my lifetime, having a good life and having a good career. So, I decided to volunteer. I wanted to give back to something worthwhile.

Long ago a friend told me he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. I love to work with my hands. I love to build things. I love to learn new things. And I truly enjoy working with people. I decided to check into Habitant.

Working for Habitat is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

Betsy Ashbaugh

When long term supporter Betsy Ashbaugh is not volunteering, she is busy crocheting. She has recently created this beautifully hand crocheted 70” x 53” American flag afghan, which she has generously donated for us to raffle as a fundraiser. Tickets will be available soon at the Restore or for more information email mecostahfh@gmail.com. The lucky winner will be drawn November 11th on Veterans Day! It is on display at the Restore.

OUR RESTORE

The happiest place in Mecosta County

We asked our staff at the ReStore to sum up their feelings about MCHFH in three words or less. The words repeated by almost all were hope and love! We take pride in our ReStore, but most importantly, we take pride in our staff and volunteers who tirelessly work to make our store a wonderful place to volunteer, donate, and SHOP! Thanks team—you are all appreciated!

Schedule your pickup Online HERE or call 231-629-8700

What our customers are saying about our ReStore

OUR FAMILY NEWS - Keeping Connected

We mourn the loss of a very dedicated volunteer Robert Bezotte. Robert started volunteering with us about 3 years ago. He was great at fixing anything that needed fixing. All our warmest thoughts and prayer go out to his family. May you rest in peace Robert.

Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity recently lost one of our founding volunteers. Jim Hoffman was instrumental in the establishment of our affiliate and was highly involved in building our first 30 homes! We extend our condolences to Jim’s family and we sincerely thank Jim for the powerful foundation on which our affiliate was built.

MCHFH sends a heartfelt thank you to the many local businesses and individuals that sponsored, donated and/or participated in the 2022 Lakeland Title of Mecosta County and B103.9 Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity Annual Golf Outing. We had a great day on and off the course with our best year yet! Golf Outing proceeds support MCHFH Programs including the Critical Home Repair Program, New Homeownership Program, and Veteran Program. We can not do what we do without the local community!