Norway, Mich. (WZMQ) – Habitat for Humanity Menominee River held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning for a new home being built for Candy and her two children. Executive Director Nancy Pellegrini explained that once the home is complete, Candy will take on a mortgage, and all of the money paid back to Habitat for Humanity will go towards building the next homes.
“So when this home is done, we’ll actually do a closing on this home and Candy will take on a mortgage. So all of our families that have mortgages, all of that money comes right back into habitat and we put it into the fund for Humanity and that’s how we continue our mission. All of that goes back to building the next homes,” Pellegrini stated.
The ceremony included a blessing from Deacon Don of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Pellegrini expressed gratitude for the volunteers and for the partnership between Candy’s family and Habitat for Humanity.
“When we are doing a groundbreaking ceremony we always ask that somebody can come in and do a blessing for our volunteers, for the ground, and for the family as they watch their home being built. And so Deacon Don came and did the groundbreaking blessing for us this morning from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church out of Iron Mountain,” she informed.
“So today is the groundbreaking ceremony for Candy and her two children. So we’ve already broken ground, but this is the beginning of a partnership between Candy and her family and Habitat for Humanity as we built this house and this home for her”
Construction has already begun on the home, with the basement shell in place. A group of 35 volunteers will return in a few weeks to put up the walls and roof in just one week’s time.
“As you can see right now we just have the shell for the basement, we will put the floor system on. We’re actually going to walk away from the property for a couple of weeks, and then we have a group coming, about 35 people, and they will put the walls up and the roof on in about a week. It’s an amazing partnership and the way they all work together, they all know their roles and it’s just an amazing time to be a part of Habitat,” explained Pellegrini.
“Once that group leaves, we still have to do all of the interior work, all of the drywall, and the wiring so we actually expect the home dedication to happen next spring,” she noted.
The new home will provide a safe and stable living environment for Candy and her children, and Habitat for Humanity Menominee River is proud to continue their mission of building homes for those in need.
“This is just a great organization and a great time for this family to blossom and become homeowners. The family is from Kingsford, and just moving over to Norway, and actually I believe Cherish will be changing schools and becoming a Norway Knight,” Pellegrini added
Pellegrini spoke about the organization’s efforts to build a new home for a family in need.
“Our normal volunteers, our core construction crew, work on Monday and Wednesday mornings from eight until noon, so that’s why it takes us a little bit longer to build,” Pellegrini commented, “We build primarily with volunteers, and so getting all of that work done that goes into a home just takes a little bit longer.”
Despite the longer timeline, Habitat for Humanity Menominee River is making progress on the new home.
“It’s an amazing partnership and the way they all work together, they all know their roles and it’s just an amazing time to be a part of Habitat,” Pellegrini said.
However, there is still much work to be done. “Once that group leaves, we still have to do all of the interior work, all of the drywall, and the wiring, so we actually expect the home dedication to happen next spring,” she added.
Habitat for Humanity Menominee River is always looking for volunteers to help with their projects. Those interested can contact the office at 906-779-5377. With the help of dedicated volunteers, Habitat for Humanity is making a difference in the lives of families in need in Dickinson County.
