WEST BAINBRIDGE – When volunteers for Chenango County Habitat for Humanity broke ground for their latest building project in West Bainbridge in April, they had high hopes of a great year ahead with a new partnering family, a site for construction, and fundraising plans for community support.
Almost three months into their building project, CCHH President Kathy Knudsen said the small group of volunteers has made great strides in living up to their expectations. The building project has come a long way in a short time, she said. Last week, cement was poured for a concrete slab foundation, exterior plumbing is in place, water wells have been drilled, radiant heat is being installed, and crews are almost ready to put up walls.
“We’ve really progressed,” Knudsen said, explaining that CCHH only sees an average of 5-8 active volunteers working on the house every Saturday. “It’s come together quite well. I’ve been really impressed.”
The group’s goal is to have walls and a roof on the 3-bedroom house, and heat installed before cold weather strikes in the late fall, “so we can have the heat on to work inside during the winter,” explained Knudsen.
With the combined experience of the Habitat for Humanity building team, it’s a goal well within their reach. This is the fifth house volunteers have constructed since the ground breaking of their first home in 1998 – most of the volunteers have participated with the agency long before that, Knudsen noted. Since then, the organization has relied on volunteer work, money donations, and other charitable contributions to carry out their work. In addition, it’s benefitting from other funds by way of low-interest mortgages paid by previous Habitat partners, she added.
“We always tell everybody if you can give us an hour, that’s better than what we had,” said Knudsen. “We’re always looking for more volunteers.”
The CCHH board is also hoping to get some extra help from a group of out-of-state volunteers – the RV Caravaner – this September.
Habitat sorted more than a dozen applications for their latest building endeavor before choosing West Bainbridge resident Lorraine Cornish, a single mother of two sons who works in food service at the Guilford elementary school. Her application was chosen based on her level of need, willingness to partner, acceptance of responsibilities and ability to repay a no-interest loan.
The committee’s acceptance of her application was more than welcome news to Cornish, whose oldest son – 21-year-old Garrett – was involved in a tragic elevator accident at the age of four, resulting in permanent brain injuries that have impacted his speech and motor skills. He will always need assistance in day-to-day living and Cornish said as long as she is physically able to care for him, she’ll continue to do so.
The new Habitat home will be handicapped accessible, designed with special modifications to help Cornish care for Garrett. Depending on the number of volunteers, hopes are to have the house complete within the next two years.
To volunteer (with or without building experience) donate, or learn more about Chenango County Habitat for Humanity, contact Knudsen at 435-6888, or visit habitat.chenango.org. The group is also seeking a treasurer for its board of directors.