A place to call home

Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
·2 min read

Nov. 3—ANDERSON — During the past 35 years, the local Habitat for Humanity organization has provided affordable housing for 80 families.

Community members, volunteers and financial supporters of the organization gathered Thursday at the First Church of the Nazarene to celebrate the milestone.

The national organization was formed in 1977 in Americus, Georgia. The Madison County group became affiliated with the national organization in 1988.

Jan Miller, executive director of the local organization, said the first house cost $3,000 to construct.

"We're partnering with the city of Anderson to construct three houses with the help of students from the D26 program in this neighborhood," she said. "We will be removing five blighted properties in the area."

Miller said the work will take place in the 46016 ZIP Code.

The organization determines where it chooses to build new houses based on factors that include the greatest need of blight elimination, business development, youth opportunities and healthy living improvements.

The organization honored Al Beaty, who, at the age of 90, continues to volunteer to work on Habitat for Humanity houses.

Carl Caldwell said Beaty retired from General Motors in 1987 and was involved in the first Habitat house in Madison County.

Beaty helped to build that first house and also designed it, Caldwell said.

"He is a walking example of what it means to volunteer for years," he said.

Beaty said he has always enjoyed working with the group on the homes.

The organization also honored Jay and Nancy Ricker, who helped build and finance a house in 1995.

Caldwell said the Rickers provided a $500,000 grant to the Madison County Community Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity gets an annual check from the foundation.

Nancy Ricker served as president of the board and brought a business aspect to the organization, Miller said.

"We've grown through Habitat," Nancy Ricker said. "It's a wonderful thing to be a part of."

Habitat also recognized Gloria Collins, the first board president, and her husband, Don, for their volunteer work over the past 35 years.

John Pistole, president of Anderson University, said the Collins family puts its faith into action.

He said the Collins family was an example of the three pillars of the Lilly Foundation of community, education and religion.

Pistole said AU students have worked on the construction of Habitat homes over the years.

Colin Skidmore of Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino said the company is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity by providing financial assistance and employees volunteering to work.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.