Habitat for Humanity needs help

Aug. 26—For the past 20 years Creston's Habitat for Humanity chapter has built homes for families.

Now the organization needs to build new board members.

"We need help," said Charlie Westman, president of the chapter. "We have the money. We just need the help."

Habitat for Humanity builds homes around the world in partnership with families in need of a place to live. Habitat homebuyers help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. There are 11 Habitat houses in Creston. The 11th one at 509 S. Maple was completed earlier this year. Plans are in the works for the next one at 616 N. Walnut.

Westman said the organization wants new people to help plan and build that home and the chapter's future.

"Seven of the 11 board members are over 70 and two are in their 80s," he said. "One has been involved since 2002, when we began. I have been here for 16 years. And another has been here about 12 years."

Westman said Habitat bylaws state members should not stay longer than eight years. Office holders like treasurer and president should only stay for three years. But Westman said if the members left today, there would not be enough to continue the club in a productive way.

"We need people to take this to the next 10 to 12 years. We'd be thrilled with someone here for three years," he said.

Creston's chapter meetings are at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Salem Lutheran Church on 602 W. Townline.

Those interested do not need to be skilled in construction or finance to be a member. There are no membership fees.

"No skills are needed. This is a learn as you go operation. It's a feel-good organization," he said about the goal of providing a legitimate family-in-need with a house.

Creston Habitat has a partnership with Southwestern Community College as carpentry and building trades students provide a large majority of the construction.

"The rest of the work we can sub-contract," Westman said. "We even have some of our members do some things for the house."

Westman said a new member probably needs a three-year term to fully understand Habitat operations. Members are involved with family support, public relations, building committee, finance and volunteer support.

"We are ready to start the next house," Westman said. "The plan is for a family of five. We always start with the family first, then get the financing for the house. We just don't have people."

The Creston chapter started in 2002 and led by Pastor Perry Torso of Salem Lutheran Church. His goal was for Creston to provide housing for lower income people who were unable to to acquire traditional financing from banks. Don Butler, a retired high school industrial arts teacher, was the chairman of the first building committee and drew the plans. The first committee built most of the first house during the winter of 2003 in a building on South Elm Street owned by Jack Bakerink. Arlan Biere started volunteering and served on the board.

Habitat funds the houses with a combination of grants and private donations.

For more information about Creston's chapter, or to apply for a future home, call (641) 344-8032 or online at unionhfh.org.