Habitat for Humanity honors its volunteers and partners
Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County handed out eight awards to its top volunteers and partners at its first annual Dream Builders Banquet, held Oct. 10. Over the past two years, 550 volunteers have given 18,000 hours to Habitat projects, fulfilling its mission to provide simple, decent and affordable homes to members of our community who felt homeownership was out of reach.
Bath resident, Jerry Boyer, who has provided leadership in every construction project undertaken by Habitat since 2009 was named Volunteer of the Year.
Dave Motz, who has logged 1,200 volunteer hours at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore was named Outstanding ReStore Volunteer.
Local construction company owner, Mike Feldpausch, of Fowler, was named Outstanding Construction Volunteer. Feldpausch has lead the framing crew at every build since 2009.
Local realtor, Roger Wells, of DeWitt, was named Outstanding Committee Volunteer. Wells serves as a director on the Habitat board, is chair of the Construction Committee and has provided construction leadership at every home building project since 2011.
Charles and Amy Patterson, who are raising eight children, were named Outstanding Homeowner Partners. Charles operates a business called Direct Recycle and recycles the electronic items donated to the Habitat ReStore, which the store is not able to sell.
RSI Home Improvement was named Outstanding Construction Partner. The company has volunteered and donated materials for every home built by Habitat in Clinton County. Doug Beaufore, president of RSI, served on Habitat’s founding board of directors.
First United Methodist Church was named Outstanding Church Partner. The St. Johns congregation has provided significant funding and volunteers for numerous builds since 2010 and facilitated a Habitat focused vacation bible school.
Turning Point Youth Center, St. Johns, was named Outstanding Community Partner. The youth and staff at the center have been an amazing source of eager volunteers for Habitat. Says Diana Yount, CEO of Turning Point, “We feel we get more out if it than we give.” The relationship with Habitat also provides the youth with positive role models who teach them valuable skills.
“Habitat is blessed with wonderful partners and volunteers,” says Michelle Smith, Habitat board president. “This banquet was our way to say thanks to this inspiring group of people who all do so much to help provide safe, decent and affordable housing for those in need here in Clinton County.”
Major sponsors for the banquet included First Merit Bank, Pauli Ford, Osgood Funeral Homes, Jackson, Jackson & Hayes, and Law Office of John B. Salemi.
