'Living Quarters' efforts raised close to $6,000 in recent fund drive

Over 50 volunteers canvassed Mitchell, Ethan, Fulton, Mt. Vernon and Alexandria on Saturday asking community members to donate their loose change to assist with the Mitchell Area Habitat for Humanity program.

The campaign, LIVING QUARTERS, was developed to help the organization raise awareness of their activities and raise funds to assist with a build project in Mitchell in the spring of 2012.

Volunteer groups represented Dakota Wesleyan University, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, First Lutheran Church, Mitchell Wesleyan Church, First United Methodist Church, Mitchell Technical Institute, as well as other organizations and individuals.

Even though the groups were able to get to less than half of the homes in Mitchell and area communities, they collected over $3000. Modern Woodmen of America will match up to $2500. Home owners who were not at home were left with a flyer and envelope to mail in a donation if desired.

Habitat for Humanity is a national organization that helps individuals build safe, decent and affordable housing for families. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat is not a ‘giveaway program’. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and houses of others. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. Habitat house owners must meet qualifications and pay back a no-interest loan as a partner family.

“I’ve been blessed with this house from Habitat for Humanity. I have hope and my children have a future. I love my home and will always be grateful,” said a Habitat homeowner recently.

For further questions, or to make a financial contribution, please contact 996-9068 or email habitat@santel.net.