Habitat for Humanity will have an introductory
meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 11, in
the American Reformed Church on north Highway
75 to see if there's interest in starting a local chapter
By Lori Ehde
A group of Luverne residents are organizing an introductory meeting to gauge interest in starting a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
The national organization uses volunteer labor and donations to build affordable homes. Families benefiting from the new homes contribute with their "sweat equity."
Merlin Cleveringa, who works with Van Aartsen Construction, has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity projects in Sioux Falls, and he says there's a chance local families could benefit from Habitat homes.
"Sometimes it felt really unorganized and I wondered why I was there," Cleveringa said of his Sioux Falls Habitat experience.
"But then you'd see the dad and mom walking up the sidewalk with their little kids to put in their sweat equity, and you forget all that."
The average Habitat for Humanity home is built for about $35,000 to $40,000 with donated funds, equipment and labor.
For every local home built, the national organization gives 10 percent of the total value to projects in other needy parts of the world.
"For example, if it costs us $40,000 to build a house here, Habitat gives $4,000 to projects in Mexico where they can build three or four houses for that money," Cleveringa said.
He said an informal needs assessment, based on the number of people in the county and average income, showed a need for affordable housing here.
"Habitat for Humanity could be one solution for that need around here," he said. "That's why we're going to have a meeting - to see if others recognize that need."
If organizers are successful in forming a local chapter, the group would likely serve both Pipestone and Luverne. He said efforts would also focus in outlying towns in Rock and Pipestone counties.
"It's going to take a lot of work to get it set up," he said. "We'll be lucky if we build a house next summer."
In the end, however, he said the work will be worth it. "You always want to help someone, but you can't just say it with words. You have to let it show in your actions," he said. "The organization is for everyone, regardless of race, color or religion. We're all God's people."