Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) will kick off a unique partnership, and their 69th home, on September 14th.

The Inaugural CEO Build is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and 16 leaders from the community. Brady Nash – 2021 CEO Build Chair (BNG TEAM), Peter Stenehjem (First International Bank), Judd Graham (Bremer Bank), Mathew Bitzegaio (Donor Dock), Doug Restemayer (DS Beverages), David White (Border States Electric), Ned Halilovic (Ambassador Cleaning/Rainbow Restoration), Brian Johnson (Western State Bank), Eric Mauch (Razor Consulting), Sandi Piatz (Microsoft), Ron Fuhrman (Liberty Business Systems), Chris Thomsen (Thomsen Homes), Beau Flom (FPG Realty), Kevin Christianson (Christianson Companies), Brian Johnson (Choice Bank), Joe Tjosvold (Chezy) and their teams will join the Habitat staff to help the Benjamin family build their new home. Many of the participants will be joining us to help build this home on the 14th, with their teams joining us on future days.

When Kathy found out they were selected as a Habitat partner family, she said, “Finally! My kids, all of them, are going to finally have a permanent home to call ours!

Kathy has moved her family many times, mostly to get away from high-crime areas. Their last move was into a larger home so they could take in her two nieces, who were separated and living in foster care. While this home was a better fit for them, it was simply too expensive, limiting Kathy’s ability to go back to school and to save for the future. Their house also had outdated and drafty windows, electrical issues, and a mouse problem. Their new home will be safe and warm, and it will help give them stability and hope for the future.

LAHFH relies on volunteers from the community to help build homes. Unfortunately, we were unable to offer this awesome experience in 2020, due to COVID, but we were still able to complete 2 homes. This year, we are welcoming back volunteers, with COVID protocols in place. Nearly 200 volunteers will help build each of our 4, 2021 homes. Once these homes are completed, LAHFH will have built 69 homes in Cass/Clay counties.

Like ALL Habitat homeowners, Kathy will be required to contribute 250 sweat equity hours, complete 25 hours of our award-winning homeowners’ education course, and repay the cost of the home through an income-based mortgage. Those payments, along with donations and proceeds from the Restore, are used to build future homes. Habitat is devoted to helping provide a “hand-up” instead of a “hand-out” for its partner families.

We all know that the costs of lumber and other building materials are at historic levels. We are not immune to that, and donations are needed now more than ever to help complete our 2021 homes. Donations of all levels can be made at www.lakeagassizhabitat.org/donate or by Texting HABITAT to 269-89. All donations are matched by the homeowners as they repay the cost of their homes.

WHAT: CEO Build Wall Raising
WHEN: Tuesday, September 14 – 11:30 am
WHERE: 9 Prior Street Dilworth (we recommend coming from the south, 12th Ave S, as trains cross Main St in Dilworth a lot.

The wall raising will also be live at www.facebook.com/lakeagassizhabitat