Dear Valued
Donor
The street
was set to be moved by the city of Greenville. Spectrum Health was set to
expand parking at its United Greenville campus. The only thing standing in the
way were the six houses that occupied Marvel Drive. These were good, well
maintained homes that were bound to end up in a landfill.
Montcalm
County Habitat for Humanity is on a mission to improve lives in our community
by building safe and affordable housing in partnership with GOD’s people. This
has been our mission since our founding in 1991. In that time Montcalm Habitat
has built 20 homes within Montcalm County and served countless other families
with critical home repairs and handicap ramps.
Families
touched by Habitat for Humanity don’t receive charity. They are not given a
hand out. What Habitat provides is a hand up. Families are provided the
opportunity to become partners with Habitat, to work alongside our volunteers
to help improve their circumstances. The phone at Habitat rings daily with our
friends, family, and neighbors seeking the hand up they so desperately need.
Like Ben, a 39 year old father and husband suffering from Multiple Sclerosis
who was finding it increasingly difficult to leave his home because his
condition made stairs unsafe and nearly impossible. Or Julyn and her disabled
husband that lived for 2 months without hot water. Their fixed income allowed
them to keep their bills paid and food on their table, however, it was not
enough for these unexpected repairs. We also met Sandra and her brother. They
are living together in a home with a leaking roof of 3 years. Unable to make
the repairs themselves and lacking the ability to hire a professional roofer
they sought a partnership with Habitat to save their home from further damage.
These are just a few of the people that were able to experience the love of GOD
through the mission of Habitat this year. These, along with the list of over 60
families seeking access to safe and affordable housing, some homeless and
others in sub-standard housing with unaffordable rent, depend on the love and
generosity of our many volunteers willing to work with the families and the
funding to continue the mission from you and many other people and
organizations in the community.
The phone
call that early spring day was different. It was not a family in need. It was
instead, a call from GOD received through the generosity and commitment to
community of Spectrum Health United. It was a call that offered an invaluable
gift, not only to Habitat for Humanity, but also to the entire community. The
six houses that stood in the way of a new street and much needed additional
hospital parking, the six houses that had no value as they currently stood had
been offered a second chance through the mission of Habitat. Just as so many of
our families need only be given a chance to improve their lives, these six
homes had the potential to change the lives of our friends, family, and
neighbors.
Montcalm
County Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with countless volunteers and area
businesses, was able to salvage the value in these houses, otherwise destined
for the landfill. Three of these homes were disassembled by volunteers allowing
tons of material to be sold in our ReStore rather than rotting in a landfill.
Cabinets, carpets, doors, windows and much more made its way into the homes of
people in our community that otherwise could not have afforded to buy it new.
The other three homes were relocated within the city. One, too large to qualify
as a Habitat home, is currently available for sale. These funds will help us continue
GOD’s work. The other two homes await renovations to become Habitat homes for
two local families. Family selection for these homes will begin in January.
Volunteers anxiously await to meet the families and work alongside them on
these homes. That brings us to the critical role that our donors play in
serving GOD through our mission. Your financial gift is an invaluable part of
the work of Habitat for Humanity. Your gift will stay in Montcalm County and
will directly benefit the lives of our friends, family, and neighbors. With
your help, two families will no longer face homelessness or sub-standard
housing in our community. Your gift, no matter how large or small, is the final
piece of the puzzle needed to offer a hand up to two hard working families in
need.
Please
Consider an on line financial gift by Clicking the Donate
Now button
Thank you