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Habitat for Humanity working on new house for Rush City familyBy Barbara Brown Habitat for Humanity has always prided itself on being an organization that gives a hand-up not a hand-out. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 125,000 houses in more than 80 countries, including 30,000 houses in the United States. The Christian group now is giving a hand-up to one Rush City family that will have a new home to call their own soon. Habitat is building a house at the corner of Harte and 4th streets in Rush City for Jamie and Theresa Fleming and their five children. The family currently lives in a trailer home in Rush City, but within the next few months, they will move into their four bedroom house. East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity organized the lot sale and has several volunteers helping to build the home. Construction began about three weeks ago with the digging of the foundation and will continue for about two months, said group foreman Bob Erickson. Currently, five men from the area are helping to build the Flemingís new home ñ a split level house with four bedrooms, one and three-quarter baths and a two-car attached garage. Rush City resident Dave Christianson is doing the electrical work in the house. Erickson, Dick Steffen, Dormon Johnson and Chuck Kardel arrive at the work site each day at about 8 a.m. They usually take a lunch break around 11:30, ìor whenever we get hungry,î Steffen said, and continue to work until 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help finish the house. The foundation, framing and some of the outer walls for the house are finished. One special need is sheet rock taping. While two men on the work team are retired plumbers and welders, Erickson said Habitat volunteers donít have to be experienced carpenters or builders to help out. ìAs long as they can come and help out, thatís good enough for us,î Erickson said. ìIf they can bang a nail they can help.î Donations of materials also are accepted, Erickson said. He said the group is looking for a business or individual to donate fencing for around the back yard to keep the coupleís young children safe. The house is on a corner of two busy city streets. The guys enjoy sandwiches, they all agreed. Habitat works with area banks to settle on no-interest 20-year loan for the families that get houses. Income requirements must be met by the families and they must contribute to the construction or repair of the home. For information about ECM Habitat for Humanity or to make donations, call 763-689-0288 or e-mail humanity@ecenet.com. ©ECM Post Review |