Anonymous donor gives $90,000 to Habitat
The Daily Inter Lake
Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley received a $90,000 donation last week to cover the total cost of building a Habitat home.
The anonymous donation was delivered to Dave Williams, Habitat president, with a Post-it note that read, "Keep up the great work."
The gift will help deliver the dream of home-ownership to a family in the Flathead.
To capitalize on the momentum the donation is generating, Habitat organizers plan a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 14 in the Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. 2 W. in Kalispell.
Among other discussion topics, the meeting will explain how this gift plays into Habitat's three-year strategic plan for the Flathead.
"This is a remarkable gift that gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of all the wonderful support we are receiving from the community," Williams said. "The response we have seen in the short time since we announced our expansion plans has gone a long way to reinforce what we already know - we live in a wonderful community."
In February, Habitat announced a plan to build the same number of homes over the next three years as it has built in the past 18 years.
The push will step up efforts to eliminate substandard housing in the Flathead Valley. Families help build their own homes, which they buy with no profit added to the construction cost and repay the loan at zero interest to help build more homes for future families.
"Since the time of our announcement, the phones have been ringing off the hook, e-mails are streaming in and we are getting stopped on the street by people asking what they can do to help," Habitat secretary Jan Shanahan said.
More than 100 women have volunteered to work on this summer's Women's Build. Donations to the resale store are on the rise. A wide spectrum of businesses and churches have pledged support and promised materials.
"The generosity is fabulous," said Patti Gregorson, newly appointed executive director.
"We need that momentum to continue in order to meet our volunteer needs for this coming build year and to cover the family support and organizational needs that will follow."
More community meetings are planned in the coming months.
Those attending on May 14 will learn of the three-year plan to build decent and affordable houses in the Flathead, and get details in each volunteer area.
"Whether you are an individual, family, corporation, church or community organization, there is a place for you on the Habitat team to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors," construction manager Skip Beardsley said.
Volunteer opportunities cover construction, office work, fundraising and committee work.
Partnerships among people from all walks of life are crucial, Williams said.
If you want to help but cannot attend the May 14 meeting - or to learn how you, your corporation, church or civic group can participate - contact Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley at 257-8800 or e-mail habitat@aboutmontana.org