Ottawa, Kan.— Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County learned last week that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant by the Bank of the West- Ottawa branch. Habitat for Humanity was awarded this grant for its commitment to providing decent and affordable housing in Franklin County. Earlier this fall, Habitat learned that, pending a successful campaign, it would be the recipient of $8,000 in funding from United Way.
Habitat plans to use the grant money in its newest initiative called “A Brush with Kindness” (ABWK). ABWK serves low- and fixed-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. ABWK provides assistance with repairs to porches, decks, guttering, and sidewalks, as well as painting, caulking, and landscaping needed to correct water runoff issues that when left unaddressed cause structural damage.
Habitat’s first recipient of ABWK is Delorah Barber. Barber is proud to own her own modular home, but it is plagued with multiple structural issues making it difficult and sometimes dangerous to live there. Volunteers will partner with Barber on Saturday, November 12, to replace the dilapidated front porch and back steps which have caused her injuries as she attempted to enter or exit her home.
“Being selected for Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness program is like having my own Extreme Makeover,” stated Barber.
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, and has been serving the people of Franklin County since 1993. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build and renovate homes. ABWK recipients, as with all families with whom Habitat partners, will repay a zero-interest loan that covers the cost of the materials needed to make the repairs. Partner families also invest in the Habitat mission by contributing their own “sweat equity” hours toward Habitat projects, either on their own homes, on the homes of others, or through various Habitat activities.
“We are extremely grateful to Bank of the West and to United Way for helping us establish our new A Brush with Kindness project through this funding. These monies will allow us to develop a deep inventory of tools and supplies that will allow us to send out teams of volunteers to complete ABWK projects all over the county. The need is so great. We anticipate being able to serve many more families through ABWK than we have heretofore been able to serve by building new homes. We are thrilled that our first-ever ABWK project is currently underway. We thank Bank of the West and United Way for recognizing Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County as an organization worthy funding,” says Carine Ullom, chair of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County.
Habitat for Humanity invites the community to assist with A Brush with Kindness at its November 12 workday. The group plans to get started Saturday morning at 9 A.M. and will provide lunch for those who RSVP by calling 785-242-2600. If you’re interested in becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County or learning more about their efforts, contact them at 785-242-2600.
