Habitat for Humanity Invites Public to Raise the Wall Ceremony

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will kick off construction of its 42nd home at a Raise the Wall ceremony open to the public Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 607 Central Ave., Findlay, Ohio at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be provided by Century 21. The new homeowners, the Swisher Family, will thank all the donors and sponsors from the Signature Event Auction presented by Marathon Petroleum Corporation that raised the funds to build this home, followed by a countdown and raising of the first wall of their home.

For the first time, Habitat and United Way Hancock County Days of Caring are teaming up and starting the build a month early to partner during Days of Caring week May 6 – 10. During United Way Days of Caring, hundreds of volunteers from local companies and organizations form teams and complete projects for local nonprofit agencies that have submitted a project request to United Way. Build teams participating include Marathon Petroleum Corporation including the M&TE Department, ADP, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Ball Metal, Kohl’s Distribution Center, University of Findlay Habitat Chapter, Nissin Brake, and Whirlpool. Whirlpool will also be donating new appliances for this home and all the construction “teachers,” called crew leaders, to guide volunteers through their tasks.

Build materials were donated from National Lime and Stone, Northwestern Masonry, McNaughton-McKay, VanHorn, Hoover, & Associates, Thompson Masonry and Integrity Construction.

More than 400 volunteers will build this new home in just 14 volunteer days. The exterior of the home will be built the week of May 4-11, and the interior finish work and landscaping will take place the week of June 3-7. The home will be dedicated and open to the public for a home tour Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m., followed by a community breakfast at the build site.

The build is open to the public. Pre-registration to volunteer is required. Volunteer shifts are still available, including Saturdays, for individuals 16 years of age or older. You can pre-register by calling 419-429-1400 or emailing volunteer@habitatfindlay.org. You can build in 4-hour shifts from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. (AM SHIFT) or from 1– 5 p.m. (PM SHIFT). No skills or tools are necessary for you to volunteer. Habitat will provide a construction crew leader and tools to guide you through your tasks for the day. If you would like to help but don’t care to “swing a hammer,” donations of cases of bottled water and snacks for the volunteers will be accepted at the build site during the build dates listed above.

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build the home and sell it at an affordable price. The Swisher family qualified as a low-income family unable to qualify for a conventional loan who was willing to partner with Habitat and complete at least 400 sweat equity hours. They will purchase the home with a no-interest loan, and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build future Habitat houses. Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications from families now for new homes, and a rehab home planned to be completed.

To apply for a home or a home repair, visit habitatfindlay.org or call 419-429-1400.