Roofer roams for a cause

Seth Kujat knows how to raise the roof on a worthwhile project. The 23-year old from Litchfield, Ohio, has been to 23 states since May 5, building 26 roofs for Habitat for Humanity and other public housing projects.

He calls his service program "Leap of Faith," and that it was for the Kent State graduate who took his van on the road with a far-reaching plan to build 50 roofs in 50 states in 52 weeks.

Kujat was in Kalispell a couple of weeks ago working on Habitat's townhouse project now under construction on Ashley Drive in Kalispell. He estimates his donated labor here was about $1,200, using locally donated materials.

After graduating from college with a degree in communications last December, Kujat said, "Life slowed down," and he found himself asking God for a way he could help people. He had paid his way through college with his own roofing business since he was 18, working every summer from May to September.

Kujat had a slender $4,000 bankroll and appointments in 10 states when he set out from Ohio with his van (which was donated), work clothes and tools. "I started with baby steps, and each one turned into a giant leap," he said.

Most of the time he's been able to find room and board with Habitat volunteers, and has only had to sleep in his van four times.

"People have taken very good care of me."

His introductory letter requesting donations to his ministry reads, "Never compromise your dreams," and given the success of his roofing project, Kujat is living by that motto. His venture is totally nonprofit.

Other than having the help of one Habitat volunteer from Connecticut earlier this summer, he's essentially raising the roofs on his own. But he remains "determined, faithful, and filled with passion for this faith-based project."

Though Flathead Habitat hadn't heard of him before he contacted them, the group knows him now and is plenty grateful for the gift of his time and trade.

Kujat will be sweeping through the last half of the country through May next year. He asks for your prayers and your generosity. Donations may be sent to: Leap of Faith, First Merit Bank, 975 N. Court St., Medina, Ohio 44256.

The Flathead Food Bank is overjoyed when it gains weight. This year's Harvest Food Drive reaped 10,362 pounds of non-perishable food which will be distributed to pantries in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Evergreen and Martin City.

Each year the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors' door-to-door efforts bring in a windfall for the food bank.

But with reduced funding and commodities from state and federal sources, the need has never been greater locally. As Thanksgiving approaches, keep the food bank in mind when you're at the grocery store.

During October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month), Montana Coffee Traders is featuring a specialty coffee called Abbie Blend to benefit the Violence Free Crisis Line and the Abbie Shelter, a safe home for victims of abuse.

One dollar of every pound of coffee sold will be donated to the two agencies. You can support them by checking at your local groceries, bakeries and restaurants for Abbie Blend and buying a cup or a pound, or pick some up at any Coffee Traders location.