Want a warm, fuzzy feeling? CAN Do
by Linn Ann Huntington
I'm one of those people who loves happy endings.
That's why I enjoyed listening to John Kreutzer of Russell recently talk about the excitement he and his family felt when they moved into their new home three years ago. The Kreutzers were the second family approved for a Russell County Habitat for Humanity house.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization which builds simple, decent, affordable housing for people in need. It is not a giveaway program. Families and their friends contribute "sweat equity"--normally around 400 hours--to help build their homes. Families purchase the houses through no-interest loans, and their mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that helps the local Habitat chapter build the next house.
Each local chapter screens applicants and makes its own decisions about who will receive a house. To be approved, a family must demonstrate an ability to make regular monthly payments, and, after moving in, must take care of all repairs and upkeep. Kreutzer said his family remains active in the Russell County chapter. His wife, Deb, now serves on their board.
While Russell County has had a Habitat for Humanity chapter for several years, Ellis County's chapter received its official affiliate status this past summer. On Sept. 14 Kreutzer spoke to a crowd of about 30 people in Hays who gathered to hear about ways they can get involved in the local chapter. "We must raise $50,000 before we can drive the first nail," Ellis County Chapter President Bill Ring told the group. This sum is required by the national organization.
Kreutzer said it took about a year to build his 1,100-square-foot home, which cost about $35,000. When funds ran low, building on the house literally stopped for awhile, he said, and that was frustrating to watch. But he also talked about the excitement his three children felt when they got to pick the color schemes for their bedrooms. He showed us, with pride, the scrapbook of photos the local Habitat chapter gave his family showing their house going up.
As a board member of the Ellis County chapter, I can't wait until we start working on that kind of scrapbook for our first family. But first there's that $50,000 to raise. With fund-raising efforts over the past year, including generous contributions from several churches, the chapter currently has about $7,000 in its treasury. That leaves $43,000 to go.
There are two very simple ways the average person can get involved in Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County. The first is the Carpenter's Club. Board Vice President Jennie Straight is in charge of fund raising. She is looking for 350 people who are willing to pledge $10 a month to the Ellis County chapter for a year. That will raise $42,000. Contributions, which are tax deductible, can be mailed to P.O. Box 444, Hays, KS 67601.
The second way to get involved is the CAN Do project. A&A Coors, Inc., recycles aluminum and pays 25 cents a pound. Coors Warehouse Manager Robert Hoke says anyone can bring aluminum cans or scrap aluminum to the recycling center at 823 E. Eighth, tell them it's for Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County and Coors will credit it to the chapter's account. Then every two months, Coors will mail the chapter a check.
Hoke said 28 cans make a pound. The center also accepts scrap aluminum, such as old aluminum frying pans, aluminum chairs and ladders, but scrap aluminum must be separated from the cans. Soda pop and beer come in aluminum cans, as do some canned fruits and vegetables, Hoke said. The center does not take cans containing steel. If in doubt, use a magnet, he said. A magnet will adhere to a steel can, but not to an aluminum one.
The center asks that people not mix in aluminum foil or pie pans. The high temperature needed to melt the cans simply burns up these items, Hoke said. Cans need to be in some type of container and do not need to be crushed. There is no minimum number of pounds people must accumulate before they bring in their cans, Hoke said. People just need to specify the cans are for Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County. The center's hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. -noon on Saturday.
Straight said that Census figures show that 12.8 percent of Ellis County residents are below the official poverty level. She said in doing research on income levels, she discovered that 37.4 percent of Ellis County residents have an annual income of $24,000 or less and 12.5 percent have an annual income of less that $10,000. Homelessness is a reality in this county.
Everyone can help make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality in our community.
If you work in an office, how about setting up a trash can in the break room and putting up a sign asking people to drop in empty soda cans? If you live in an apartment complex or campus residence hall, how about asking the manager if you can set up a trash can in the laundry room or near vending machines?
If you're a member of a club, fraternity or sorority, how about suggesting this as a service project? Been thinking of starting an exercise program? How about picking up cans as you walk or jog?
The Carpenter's Club and the CAN Do project are two simple, easy, effective ways to create a happy ending for an Ellis County family in need of a home. And participating will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. I guarantee it.
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