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FALL 2013
PARTNER FAMILY SPOTLIGHT: THE ALLMAN FAMILY HERE IN ELKHART COUNTY, FINDING AN AFFORDABLE RENTAL FOR A FAMILY OF 10 IS A NEAR-IMPOSSIBLE TASK. Marcia and Anthony Allman have moved their 7 children, along with Marcia’s mother Edna, several times in the past couple of years, seeking a suitable house. Today, they pay $800 each month for a 3 bedroom rental in Elkhart. Edna sleeps on the couch. Their oldest daughter stays in a curtained off space in the living room with little privacy. This rental was an improvement from the last one, where mold infested the walls and Anthony had to replace a bathroom floor himself, but it does cost more. Edna struggles with dementia and has lived with them for several years. “It’s a full-time care-giver job, without much help from other relatives.” At only 69 years old, Edna could need the family’s help for many more years. In addition to studying social work full time at IUSB, the kids all have favorite activities that often require shuttling around. She keeps a giant paper calendar to plan the family’s days. Justice (17) (not pictured) “likes being a teenager,” Marcia sighs. Kayla (14) is creative and artistic, often working on her crafts and music. Desiree (12) auditioned and now plays her violin in the Youth Honors Orchestra through Goshen College. Her full schedule includes cheer leading, tumbling, and after-school club. Akira (10) loves soccer, basketball, video games, and “anything active” even though he struggles with asthma. Alyson (9) “can’t wait to follow in Desiree’s footsteps,” Marcia laughs. She was upset when she realized elementary school
The Allman Family
doesn’t offer cheer leading. Arianna (8) enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading and playing teacher. Ethan (6) loves soccer and hanging out with Akira. Marcia smiles, “I think I would be lost without my kids.” As they’ve worked through the Habitat program, life has offered the Allmans challenges as well as reasons to hope. Anthony spent a couple of harried months this summer frantically looking for employment after losing the job he’d worked for over 6 years.
“It means a permanent home, and we don’t ever have to move!” MARCIA ALLMAN
Thankfully, he recently started a new position at Rockport, a division of Forest River, in receiving. Marcia hopes her social work degree will lead to a fulfilling career. “The degree is very flexible.” She would like to work in the health care setting or in the criminal justice system.
A Habitat home will change the Allmans’ lives forever. An affordable mortgage payment will mean more money available for necessities, like repairing and eventually replacing their unreliable vehicles, for the kids’ needs, and especially for savings. “It will be something where we can spread out,” Marcia laughs. “Being on top of each other is the source of all our issues.” More than anything, though, “It means a permanent home, and we don’t ever have to move!”
A HAND UP FOR THE ALLMAN FAMILY 10 people in a small three bedroom rental–with one on a sofa and another in a curtained-off area of the living room–is not our idea of a decent home. In addition to the gift-in-kind from local and national companies and the labor of 100 volunteers, we need $60,000 to build a home with the Allman family. Everyone working together can make that happen. If you provide the money, we will provide the reality of a home that will meet the Allman family’s needs–and they will purchase it from us at an affordable monthly mortgage payment. Help us give a hand UP, not a hand-out to the Allman family. What will YOU build?
CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS BEARDSLEY BULLDOG CROSSING The neighborhood bordering Beardsley Elementary School, in Elkhart, is being transformed by seven new families in seven new homes this year. The seven homes in our Beardsley Bulldog Crossing development have injected $630,000 of real estate value into this neighborhood and our plan is to build six more homes adding another $540,000 of value. Collectively, these 13 homeowners will pay nearly $12,000/year in property taxes to support our schools, police and fire departments and all of our city services. But the impact on our families is far more important! “Habitat is a huge blessing for me and my kids. It means stability. Being able to say I have a mortgage, that I helped build it and having a place for my kids to grow up is so important,” says Tiara, one of our new homeowners. When we called Benito and Brenda to tell them that their family had been
selected for the program, they didn’t tell any of their friends about it. Why? “It seemed too good to be true,” said Benito. In fact, they waited two weeks until after their Habitat orientation meeting because “I just wanted to make sure,” he added.
“Habitat is a huge blessing for me and my kids. It means stability. Being able to say I have a mortgage, that I helped build it and having a place for my kids to grow up is so important.”
TIARA PEOPLES
Their school-aged daughter excels in school and is particularly excited to have her new school across the street from their home. Benito and Brenda say their home is “a new beginning, a new start”
and that they are so happy that their children have a permanent home. Stability, permanency and affordability are the common themes for all of our families. No longer are they moving from rental house to rental house, changing schools and paying too much for utilities. They are now in the permanent homes that they helped to build, paying their mortgage payments to Habitat, paying property taxes to our community, managing their finances and breaking the cycle of poverty housing. Thank you for being a part of building homes and families throughout Elkhart County. 166 families are now in their permanent homes. P.S. Please visit our Beardsley Bulldog Crossing community three blocks east of the Johnson Street Bridge, between Beardsley Avenue and Erwin Street. With any luck, we’ll find a hammer or a paint brush that fits your hand perfectly!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: HABITAT CARE-A-VANNERS TRAVELING THE COUNTRY FOR HABITAT For two weeks in early October, our affiliate was blessed to have five Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners volunteering with us. The RV Care-A-Vanners is a volunteer program for anyone who travels in a recreational vehicle, wants to build Habitat houses and have fun doing it. This group of Care-A-Vanners included George and Diane Gravelee, Lisa Crawford, and Ray and Krystal Young. All five have lots of experience working on Habitat build sites and they were a huge help with our seventh house at Beardsley Bulldog Crossing. George and Diane have been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years. They celebrated a significant milestone while in Elkhart, by helping with their 125th Habitat build. Early on they decided they wanted to volunteer with a Habitat affiliate in every state. To date they have volunteered in 43 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. When asked why they volunteer with Habitat they said “We believe it is our mission to give back to the community and the kids of this generation.” They strongly believe in the philosophy that if you give a child
The RV Care-A-Vanners on the build site with our construction crew at Beardsley Bulldog Crossing. Back row (l to r) George Gravelee, Lisa Crawford, Ray and Krystal Young, and Diane Gravelee. Front row (l to r) Habitat staff Duffy Sherman, Molly Prime, and Aaron Lehman.
a safe and stable environment they will be healthier and more successful in life. Lisa Crawford, a retired Air Force administrator, has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for over 10 years. Her first exposure to Habitat was while she was living in Alpena, Michigan. She has participated in over 25 builds since
she began volunteering with Habitat. “I needed a purpose for traveling and Habitat for Humanity is that purpose.” For more on the RV Care-A-Vanners program check out www.habitat.org/rv.
SETTING RECORDS WITH THE RESTORE CAROL WALKER AND HER RESTORE TEAM CONTINUE TO SET SALES RECORDS AND BLOW PAST THEIR BENCHMARKS. The Fall 50% off sale was the first time in the history of the Elkhart County ReStore to have over $10,000 in sales in a day! This sales record came a few months after the ReStore broke its fiscal year sales record with $332,309.61. Their previous record was just shy of $300,000 and was set during the 2011–12 fiscal year. The increase in sales over the past fews years means that Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County has been able to partner with more people to build more quality, sustainable, and affordable homes in Elkhart County.
“I shop at the ReStore because there are unique items and it keeps waste out of landfills. It’s always an adventure to see what you’ll find there!”
CARLA GULL
BLOOM & ZOOM This year’s Bloom & Zoom bike ride fundraiser was a success! We had 191 riders participate to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity in our PHOTOGRAPHER: MARISA HAITSMA mission of building homes, building hope throughout Elkhart County. We want to thank all of our riders, volunteers, and sponsors for making it a great event! Check out http://on.fb.me/1ghyAA9 for photos from the ride.
Major Sponsors
Sponsors Family Bike Elkhart Bicycle Shop Pumpkinvine Cyclery Hawkins Water Tech. Springer Design Goshen College Adam’s Bistro Rolling Scones Habitat ReStore Hochstedler Bros. Lincoln Ave. Cycling and Fitness
VOLUNTEERING ON THE BUILD SITE “ Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity gives you a great feeling. I am proud to be able to help out so many families, meet new people, and learn new things.” MELISSA KLEITZ
PHOTOGRAPHER: ALEX PLETCHER
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT: KRAMER APPRAISALS PARTNERING WITH HABITAT IN BUILDING HOMES, BUILDING HOPE THROUGHOUT ELKHART COUNTY. Kramer Appraisals has donated their services (around $400 a house) for 50 houses in a row. Robert Kramer started Kramer Appraisals 20 years ago in downtown Goshen. Robert’s son Mark and his wife Kelly have been running the business since 2001. When asked why they wanted to get involved with Habitat for Humanity they said “We want to give back to this community.” It is with support from businesses and donors like the Kramers that we are able to work toward eliminating poverty housing in Elkhart County and around the world. If your business or you individually would like to be a donor please call Tom McArthur, at 533-6109.
Mark and Kelly Kramer, in front of their office building in downtown Goshen.
BUILDING HOMES & HOPE WITH YOUR HELP BUSINESSES
1st Source Bank Anco Products Inc. Atwood Mobile Products Babsco Electric Supply, Elkhart Beta Chi Sorority/Beta Alpha Chi Chapter Borkholder Buildings & Supply Cardinal Supply, Inc. CertainTeed CommunityWide Federal Credit Union Cor-A-Vent, Inc. Elkhart Bicycle Shop Elkhart Rotary Club Family Bicycle Center, Inc. Family Medical Center First State Bank, Middlebury Goshen College Habitat for Humanity International Hawkins Water Tech, Inc. Hochstedler Brothers Home Improvements Homan Lumber Mart, Elkhart Homeward Bound Walk for the Homeless Kramer Appraisal Services Lakota Corporation Martin’s Supermarkets - Corporate Menno Travel Miller’s Building Supply, Inc. Momper Installed Building Products Mutual Bank - Goshen Open Range RV Palmer’s Damp-Proofing, Inc. Pumpkinvine Cyclery Radiology, Inc. Foundation Real Services Road Trip Tents Rolling Scones Shekinah Electric, Inc. Signtech Sign Services South Bend Silver Hawks Tax Solutions, Inc. Thorne Grodnik LLP Vim Recycling, Inc. - Elkhart Wal Mart - Elkhart NW #2679 Wal Mart - Plymouth Welty & Sons Well Drilling, Inc. Whirlpool Corporation
CHURCHES
Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship Central Christian Church Clinton Frame Mennonite Church First Mennonite Church of Middlebury First Presbyterian Church - Elkhart Hillcrest United Methodist Church Holdeman Mennonite Church IN-MI Mennonite Conference
Indiana Annual Conf. of United Methodist Church New Paris Church of the Brethren St. Mark’s UMC Women St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish Trinity Lutheran Church - Elkhart Trinity United Methodist Church Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart Inc. Waterford Mennonite Church Yellow Creek Mennonite Church
INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous Donors Robert M. & Betty Abel John E. Alter Laura Baker John V. & Jennifer K. Ball Keith & Diana Barkow Ruth Bauman L Merlin & Eileen Becker-Hoover Julie Benson Kim Berkey Misi Bickel Bill J. & Shawna Born Christopher M. & Kristen G. Bradford Kristin Brandon, Chad Brich John F. & Karen L. Burnham Jennifer Carlson Hermilo Carreno & Lisa Guedea Heather Cavanaugh James & Anke Chandler Jeff Chupp Dana Cohen Cheryl Perry Confer Peg Covert Pam Creed Richard & Mary Davis Esther Deal Donald & Melanie DeGroff Joy Dennison Mark & Barbara Dicken Jerry Dietzel Kristen & Nathan Dinges Amy Dresser John & Mary Dresser Tom & Donna Durham Paul Eash Laurel Everest Daniel J. Farrell Gerry Ferrell Dawn & Rob Fisher Michael & Debra Flowers Robert E. & Sara R. Frey Douglas M. & Sandra S. Friesen L. Craig & Connie Fulmer
Kathy Gangwer Sondra Gardetto G. Beach Gattman Michael Gerndt Daniel L. Graber Danny S. Graber & Rhonda Lou Yoder Deborah Gravender Elizabeth Griffin Kyle & Shawn Hannon Laurene Harneck Wilbur & Elizabeth Hershberger Gregory A & Valerie Hinkle Richard & Mary Ellen Hinton Roger & Betty Hochstedler Richard & Peg Hooley Richard B. & Joy B. Hostetter Richard & Judy Houston Christopher Hughes & Debra Wright-Hughes James Isaacs Marlin Jeschke Brian Johnson Erin Johnson Doug & Jeannine E. Johnston Armon & Bernie Kauffman Jon & Mary Kauffmann-Kennel David Kaufman Larry R. & Mary Jane Kegerreis Mike & Laramie Keim Claramae L. Klink Faith Kreighbaum George A. & Marilyn Krueger Charles Kurk Juanita Laidig Aaron & Anne Lehman Jane M. Lehman Maurice & Carol Lehman Merritt & Dierra Lehman Emily Leinbach L. Glenn & Vera Leinbach Gary M. & Ann A. O. Linley Mrs. James (Janet) Lohman Alton K. & Lois M. Longenecker Benito Lopez Allan & Karon Ludwig Steve & Jean Lynn Kathy Mack Terry Mark & Annette Long David & Krista Sloan Martin Tom & Deb McArthur Lynn J. & Darlene K. Miller Randall Miller & Charlene Mast Richard R. & Kathy Miller Andrea Milne G. Lynn & Linda S. Morris Daniel A & Jan Morrison Patty Moseley David Muram
Maureen O’Reilly Richard & Margaret Oyer Robert & Lorraine Pflederer Tom & Susan Pierce William D & Rosemary Pletcher Patricia Prime Clayton Quimbach Paul & Sheela Reasoner Miriam C. Resch James & Sydney Rieckhoff Rebecca & Duane Roach Larry Rohrer Loren & Julie Roth Philip & Laura Schwartz Gerald H. Shaffer Leon “Duffy” Sherman Rose & Clay Shetler Brian J. & Lauri J. Smith Craig & Joan Smith Robert & Ada Souder Joseph A. Springer & Joann Brant Ronald H & Mary Lou Stallman Loren & Miriam Stauffer Jeff & Tonja Stern-Gilbert Donald & Claudia Stohler Lowell & Charlene Stoltzfus Floie Stouder James & Margaret (Peggy) Stover Bill J. & Sue D. Templin Burl E. & Rhoda Troyer Ora S. & Mary L. Troyer Paul I. & Edith A. Troyer Irene (Renie) & Ron Twedt Treva Vaksvik Michael & Laura Vance Michael L. & Patricia A. Vanderveer Teri Verba Charles H. Vetter
Dr. Thomas M & Joan Vidic Joshua Weaver & Julia Gingrich Curt & Sherry Wenger Michael Yeakey & Kathy Nofziger Yeakey Ken R & Ferne Yoder Robert L. & Dorothy L. Yoder
FOUNDATIONS
1st Source Bank Foundation Elkhart County Community Foundation Old National Bank Foundation The Rex and Alice A Martin Foundation
MEMORIALS
Donald Covert Peg Covert Tom and Donna Durham G Beach and Ruth Gattman Janice Lohman Bill & Sue Templin Lucille Stickel Robert and Betty Abel
VOLUNTEER GROUPS TO DATE (10/21/13) Anco Products Inc. Beta Chi Sorority Bethel College Bethel UMC Calvary UMC Catholic Heart Work Camp Central Christian Cummins Onan Elkhart CVS Pharmacy Interns Dunlap UMC Dime Inque
Eaton Corp. Elkhart Cluster of UMC Churches Elkhart Memorial High School Elkhart Morning Optimists Elkhart Lunch Optimists First State Bank of Middlebury First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart Goshen College Habitat Board Members Hillcrest UMC Holdeman Mennonite Church IUSB Delta Sigma Phi IUSB Alpha Sigma Tau Jamestown UMC KemKrest NIBCO Engineering Department Northwood HS Key Club Penn High School Habitat Club RV Care–A–Vanners Speedway St. Paul’s UMC St. Thomas Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church The Crossings Trine University Trinity Lutheran Church Trinity UMC Union Center Church of Brethren Wakarusa UMC Walmart Waterford Mennonite Church Yellowcreek Mennonite Church
Donors to the ReStore are not listed here. Thank you to all donors for their support. Please feel free to contact our office for corrections or updates to this list.
2526 Peddlers Village Rd, P.O. Box 950 Goshen, IN 46527
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SEEKING TO PUT GOD’S LOVE INTO ACTION, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ELKHART COUNTY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITIES, AND HOPE.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS
PAID GOSHEN, IN PERMIT #81