Habitat News

Community Support for Habitat

“Habitat for Humanity efforts get boost from first-graders”, an article in the Carroll County Times by Erica Kritt on February 26, 2008, describes some of the community support for the house under construction by Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County. Located at 49 Union Street in Westminster and being built for Carol Kohlhepp, this is the second house HFHCC has built in Carroll County.

Donations from different businesses and groups have been steadily coming in. The article featured a presentation from Vangie Baker’s first grade class to Ms. Kohlhepp and HFHCC Executive Director Marcia Weller. The Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary students collected $105.30 in change as a fundraising project. The fundraiser taught the students they could make a difference, and they were pleased to help Ms. Kohlhepp’s son have a yard to play in. Since enough money has been raised to cover the house for Ms. Kohlhepp, the funds raised by the first-graders will be used for future projects. A third house is planned to be built or rehabbed within the year.

Ms. Weller said there has been great community support for the project. Lumber companies and hardware stores have donated many free supplies.

In addition to funds and supplies, there was been tremendous volunteer support. Ms. Weller said volunteers started on the house on December 22nd and there were over 1,000 volunteer hours by the end of the month.

According to Ms. Weller, the house should be completed by mid-April if everything continues to go smoothly.