THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE MADISON TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County: Helping you build your dream home

from Habitat for humanity of Dane County

Insurance agents, UW athletes, high school students, the entire United Way staff and McFarland businesses are a few of the groups coming together for an intensive 13 day "Blitz Build.” Beginning on Saturday, May 8, six Habitat for Humanity houses will spring up at the new mixed-income Twin Oaks subdivision in southeast Madison. "By Saturday, May 22nd, we expect to have six houses closed in and ready for interior finishing work,” said Brian Miller, Habitat's Executive Director. “This two-week period is a critical time for us to get these six families in their homes by Labor Day so the children will start the fall semester in their new neighborhood school. While that is not a remarkable feat for professional homebuilders, it is a challenge for groups of unskilled volunteers.”

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is the Honorary Chair of Habitat's 3rd "Women's Build" house. This Twin Oaks house is funded and built primarily by women. Joining her are a group from the Madison Area Builders Association Women's Council and the UW Women's Basketball team and many others.

 "Only two of the thirteen days, May 10 and May 20, still need some of 50 volunteers per day. With a ratio of one skilled to 3 unskilled workers, we are still looking for more willing volunteers,” said Habitat's Volunteer Coordinator, Megan Kenney. “Anyone interested in volunteering can go to our www.habitatdane.org Web site to view the available workdays and download a registration form or they can call me at 255-1549 ext. 104 or email me at: hfh@chorus.net."

A "Blitz Build" kickoff is scheduled for Friday evening, May 7, 4:30 pm. Lt. Gov. Lawton and others will speak along with a prayer of dedication and special music by Wisconsin Public Radio personality Jonathan Overby. The real party happens on Saturday, May 22, 4 p.m. with a dinner and a street dance from 6-8 p.m. The Cajun Strangers, a local Louisiana-style dance band, will perform.

There are many people involved and countless individual volunteers including the McFarland Community Build Volunteers, Women's Build Volunteers, Thrivent for Lutherans-Western Dane Chapter, Mascot Brothers Construction, TDS Telecom, United Way of Dane County,TECO, University of Wisconsin Medical Students, Cheeseburgers in Paradise, Pacific Cycle, Bethel Lutheran Church, Midvale Lutheran Church, First United Methodist, Middleton Outreach Center, T.Wall Properties, MABA Women's Council, Flad and Associates, Lakeview Lutheran Church, Advanced Exteriors, McFarland United Church of Christ, Weather Central, The Habitat ReStore, McFarland Christ the King, RASCOW (Realtors Associates of South Central Wisconsin), Veridian Homes, Kraft, American Girl, Notre Dame Club of South Central Wisconsin, Madison Junior Woman's Club, UW Women's Basketball Team, UW Football Team.

About Habitat for Humanity:

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County builds homes and hope through the construction and rehabilitation of affordable homes. Vibrant and broad partnerships with qualifying families and the wider Dane County community of volunteers and organizations makes this possible.

Habitat provides home ownership opportunities for families earning 30-50 percent of Dane County median income, utilizing a broad range of volunteers and a limited number of skilled staff persons. Families are qualified with a rigorous application process. Selection is based on the need for adequate shelter, willingness to partner and ability to pay. Affordability is maintained through the utilization of monetary donations (individuals, churches, businesses, United Way and other grants) and through infrastructure development made possible by City of Madison and Dane County support to the extent these fulfill Habitat's Christian principles and Habitat International's guidelines. Mortgage payments are recycled to build more affordable homes.

Through information and advocacy, Habitat helps the community to recognize local housing needs and offers constructive solutions. Caring people find volunteer opportunities that develop lasting relationships, improve skills and demonstrate their potential. Habitat building sites bring people from all faiths and all walks of life together for a common goal. Families and volunteers work hard and have fun doing it. Unfortunately, community and human needs continue to exceed what Habitat is currently able to provide.

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