News
Habitat Open House and Dedication Celebrates 160th Homeowner Family
Billie C. and her two sons, Deshawn and TyRell, are Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 160th homeowner family. They dedicated their new home in Portage in late June. Portage Mayor Peter Strazdas (pictured with the family) participated in the open house and thanked Habitat for its partnership with the city. “The City of Portage is committed to affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity is helping us make that a reality for Portage families,” he said. “It's great to see the youth in our region build a house in Portage for a family who could not afford a home of their own while they learn a skill in high school.”
Their energy-efficient, one-story home was built during the 2007-2008 academic year by 42 students from Portage Central, Portage Northern, Vicksburg, and Schoolcraft high schools enrolled in the Education for Employment Construction Trades Program. The City of Portage supported the project with Community Development Block Grant funds.
Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters Donate work to Habitat
The Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters created and donated more than 250 quilted items for Habitat homeowners for the group’s 2008 service project. Members worked throughout the year in groups and individually to create quilts in a variety of sizes and styles, decorative wall hangings, tableware and other items for presentation to Habitat homeowners. The items were presented to representatives of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity and Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday, June 17 at the monthly meeting of the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters group at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage.
“We select a different organization for our service project each year,” said Charlene Andrews, project chairman. “We had never worked with Habitat for Humanity before but are so impressed with the homeowners and the hard work they invest in building their own homes. We hope they will enjoy using these gifts as much as we enjoyed making them.”
The quilted items will be presented to Habitat homeowners as housewarming gifts.
Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters include members from Allegan, Van Buren, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo counties as well as members from northern Indiana. More information is available at www.log-cabin-quilters.com.
Community Partners Honored and New Directors Elected
Eight volunteers and one community organization were honored at the Annual Meeting of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (KVHH). The board of directors recognized eight community volunteers for outstanding contributions: Allen Gillett (posthumously) for service at the Habitat ReStore, Lynn Alberding for the family selection program, Kattie Johnson for the family partnership program, Gail Galbreath for administrative support, and Dave Wohlfert for construction. Chuck Yager was honored as the all around volunteer for service in many key program areas. MRC Industries was honored as outstanding community partner.
Shaun Patrick Willis, attorney, Willis & Willis, PLC, is the new president of the KVHH Board of Directors. Sandra “Sam” Lealofi, Goodwill Industries, is first vice president, Nancy Trimble Kern, community volunteer, second vice president, Tammy Barnard, Edison Neighborhood Association, secretary, and Carol LaLonde, Plante & Moran, PLLC, treasurer.
Eight new directors were elected: Lori Baker, Habitat homeowner, Joshua Bush, National City Bank, Susan Chrisman, BDO Seidman, Maridel Greer, National City Bank, Carol LaLonde, Plante & Moran, PLLC, Heather McAnaw, Jansen Valk Thompson & Reahm, Mike Oliphant, Yeo & Yeo, and Scott Pierangeli, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office.
Continuing directors are: Jessica Jones, Habitat homeowner, Chuck Yager, community volunteer, Richard Rosenberger, Cornerstone Construction, Michael Dunn, architect, Glas Associates, Stanley Steppes, Jeffrey L. Davis & Associates, Teresa Valdez, Habitat homeowner, Tom Gauntlett, Sledrunner Financial Group, Sherry Oliver, Consumers Energy, Warren Fritz, librarian, Wes Gibson, community volunteer, and Matt Maire, Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors.