Catholic Fraternal Life Builds 13th Home by Partnering with the Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity, a Program In Which Catholic Holy Family Society Will Continue to Participate For many individuals, Columbus Day weekend was spent mowing the grass, cleaning the house or attending soccer games. However, for about 40 fraternal volunteers, the weekend of October 5th, 6th, and 7th was spent building a home with the Habitat for Humanity—Jefferson County Chapter in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. This marked the 13th build for the former Catholic Fraternal Life! All volunteers were members of the Society now known as Catholic Holy Family Society, a member-owned life insurance organization with a commitment to communities and volunteering. Volunteers arrived at the site on Friday morning and spent two and one half days building the exterior of a home and carport. The crew leader for this project was Francis Rehkemper of Breese, who has been involved in Habitat projects since its beginning in 1992. Another volunteer, Helen Wuebbles of Germantown, received donations of food and then purchased everything else she needed to prepare all meals on site. On Friday the 5th, volunteers put the exterior walls in place along with roof trusses. On Saturday they finished sheathing the roof, began shingling and siding and installed windows and doors. Sunday was spent cleaning up. In addition, the Society presented Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity with a donation in the amount of $5000 to help with building costs. Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian organization, which builds, renovates and sells houses to low-income families on a no-profit, no-interest basis. They rely on volunteers, skilled craftsmen, churches and the community to construct single-family homes and finance them over a 20-30 year period. Once a family is selected, the family members are required to complete 400 hours of sweat equity and must continue to show financial stability. Habitat for Humanity instills the functions to break the cycle of poverty and initiate the drive toward competence and independence. On this particular home, Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity is partnering with Jenny Jett and Chris Bond and their children. For information about how to get involved in the 2008 Habitat for Humanity Build please call the Belleville office at (800) 240-2554
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