Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been helping the Habitat for Humanity of Grant County build four houses for local families. Because of the large number of volunteers from the community and UWP for the 2007 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans builds, Habitat was awarded a $62,000 grant from Thrivent for 2008. Having many volunteers is one of the deciding factors of who gets this grant. These funds, along with other donations, are enabling Habitat to help more families in Grant County and internationally.

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization that seeks to combat substandard housing and permanently raise people from poverty by providing no interest loans and simple homes for families. The families make monthly mortgage payments to pay for the home and work side by side with Habitat volunteers in its construction. Habitat works with the families before, during and after the construction of the house, providing financial counseling and information about being a homeowner.

Locally, Habitat has completed four houses, with a fifth house in Lancaster currently under construction. For the next two homes, Tim White and Pete White of Benton donated two building lots in Benton. All of the 2008 Thrivent grant will be used to build on the lots once the Lancaster house is completed.

The Lancaster house is the second Habitat house to use a design by UWP students. Warner Smidt, professor of building construction management at UWP and lead project manager for the Lancaster house, teaches the Residential Planning and Design class. Three of his students created a design that can withstand the stress of freezing and thawing. Smidt says the plans have worked well and have been easily modified for different layouts and sizes.

"It gives the students the opportunity to apply what they learn in class and gives them experience working with a client. Building construction management students who haven't had the chance to be employed in construction, can get that experience," said Smidt.

Another special thing about the Lancaster house is that it is being built energy efficient, making it Energy Star certified. Todd Timmerman of Timmerman's Talents helped Habitat acquire solar water heaters for the house and donated labor to install them. According to Smidt, these heaters save an average of $200 per year on energy costs. UWP students helped Timmerman install the system by cutting and soldering pipe.

The UWP Habitat for Humanity chapter is joining in the effort by helping with the construction of the Lancaster house and fundraising to build more homes. Their next fundraiser will be Power of a Dollar Feb. 19 through 21. The chapter will advertise how much of a difference each student would make if they gave one dollar to Habitat. Students will be invited to donate at least one dollar and see how much each donation adds up in raising money to build a Habitat house.

Habitat for Humanity of Grant County is also giving aid overseas by donating 10 percent of its funds to Habitat for Humanity in Malawi, Africa. Because of the large Thrivent grant and other donations, Habitat for Humanity of Grant County is able to send $13,000 to Malawi, enough to build seven houses. According to April Baker, director of Habitat for Humanity of Grant County, this is important, because in Malawi, whole villages are recipients of Habitat homes, not just individual families. Each house is built in stages and additions are added as the family can afford them. The whole village works together in the construction of the homes.

"We chose to tithe to Malawi because they are hardworking people who are dealing with a widespread AIDS epidemic and poverty," said Baker.

In addition to Malawi, Habitat is partnering with Thrivent for a trip to Guatemala where volunteers will help build houses March 12 through 21. Those interested in attending may contact Jane Harrison at (608) 348-6862. Cost is $675 plus airfare and a contribution to Habitat, which will be used in future builds.

Volunteers are also needed locally for a variety of tasks including construction of houses and fundraising. To volunteer to help in the construction of the Lancaster house, people may visit grantcountyhabitat.org to sign up for specific dates. Anyone wanting more information about Grant County or Malawi Habitat may contact Baker at (608) 732-6567 or grantcountyhabitat@yahoo.com.

Anyone wanting more information about the UWP Habitat for Humanity chapter may contact Megan Klemm at uwphabitat@gmail.com

Contact: April Baker, director, Grant County Habitat for Humanity, (608) 348-9119 or grantcountyhabitat@yahoo.com Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu