Habitat project continues

By John Kline

MILLERSBURG — It was a cold but productive day in Millersburg Saturday as work continued on the first Elkhart County Habitat for Humanity house of the new year.

“It’s just amazing to see how fast everything is going up,” said Jean Neely, the single mother of two who will take possession of the new home this March. “It just gives me goose bumps. It almost feels like you’re dreaming, because it’s hard to believe how fast it’s going up.”

Neely was joined at the site, located in the 200 block of South Monroe Street, by approximately 30 volunteers Saturday, all of whom were hard at work constructing the home’s framing and raising the walls, trusses and roof.

“I think it’s so awesome that all these people came out on such a cold day to volunteer their time. I didn’t expect that amount,” said Neely. “I mean, in the past people said they’d be there, but I didn’t expect so many to show up. The turnout was impressive. Even my elementary school bus driver was out there.”

According to Aaron Lehman, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, Saturday’s work was the first major day of construction on the home to date, though the kickoff of the build actually took place early last week.

“When we started there really wasn’t much more than the foundation, and now all the walls are up and sheeted, and the roof is on and sheeted,” Lehman said. “We started out early at 8:30 in the morning with 28 volunteers dressed for cold weather, and with their own hand tools, which is always a good sign, because generally those that bring their own, it’s a sign the crew will actually know what they’re doing.

“We had volunteers from the neighborhood, from various churches, some family and friends...we really had about the perfect crew,” he said.

While Habitat is known for its fast completion times — typically constructing 10 to 12 new homes in as many months — even Lehman was a bit surprised at the speed of the work Saturday.

“At the start of the day there was nothing there,” Lehman said, “and at the end it’s basically a house. It really won’t look all that much different when it’s finished.”

However, even with the fast construction, Lehman said the quality and efficiency of the new home will be top rate.

“It’s a three bedroom, one and a half bath home, and we’re anticipating this will be our most efficient house yet,” Lehman said. “This house will use half the energy of a normal house, and includes features like a lifetime metal roof to lower maintenance costs, and energy star everything.”

While Saturday’s work resulted in a significant amount of construction, Lehman admitted that there is still plenty of work to do before the home’s scheduled completion date of March 12.

Everything from the electrical and plumbing work to the dry walling and painting still need to be completed, though Lehman said if the volunteerism he saw on Saturday continues, he’s confident the home will be completed on schedule.

“It was a pretty cold day, and 28 people still came out here out of the generosity of their hearts to help out a friend and neighbor to achieve her dream of home ownership, and help to move the house along,” Lehman said. “We had a good day.”

Such generosity was not lost on Neely or her family.

“I have so many emotions. It’s just an awesome feeling to know that all these people are willing to come out and volunteer their time to help our family have a home,” Neely said. “I think the best part of the whole day was when my daughter stopped in at lunchtime. The youth group from Goshen First Church of God was serving snacks, and my 10 year old came down with my mother, and she had the biggest smile on her face.

“I think she’s finally realizing that we’re getting a new home, and seeing that smile was just priceless.”

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