Blitz to boost Habitat's home count

Stephanie Antonian Rutherford • The Enquirer • June 3, 2008

Architecture student Deon Stein got both a crash course in construction and a touching lesson in the spirit of community Monday at the Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity's Home Builders Blitz 2008.

Stein, a native of South Africa who is attending Andrews University in Berrien Springs, is the most recent Battle Creek resident to receive a home — a spacious ranch-style house on Jackson Street — from the Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity.

It's been a moment in which he and his wife, Tiffany, have been working hard completing about 400 of the 500 required hours of "sweat equity" or volunteer work with Habitat to qualify for a home, which is low-cost and energy efficient, with a zero interest loan.

"We live in a tiny apartment right now and with me in school and our small income, we would have never been able to afford a new home," Stein said. "This really gives us a sense of ownership and stability."

Since it was founded in 1989, Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity has built more than 100 homes in Albion, Battle Creek and Marshall.

And while houses usually take several months of volunteer work to complete, the Steins and their three small children — Jalend, 5, Isaiah, 3, and Nehemiah, 2 — will be handed the key Saturday, thanks to the fast work of local builders and contractors who are taking part in the Home Builders Blitz this week.

The annual program is part of a national partnership between professionals in the residential home building industry and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, said Art Pearce, Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity's executive director.

On Monday, crews from Kalamazoo-based Lyster Contracting and Battle Creek's Gonzales Electric Inc. and Tenney's Eavestrough & Siding Co. were on hand to help with the build.

"We support Habitat because it's great to help someone get a start in life," said Herb Tenney, owner of Tenney's Eavestrough & Siding Co.

Monday also served as a day for local lawmakers and government officials to try their hand at swinging a hammer during the organization's "Legislators Day." Calhoun County Commissioner Greg Moore, Battle Creek City Commissioner Susan Baldwin and Calhoun County Board Chairwoman Kate Segal spent the day with the pros.

"No blood yet," joked Moore. "We hope to keep it that way."

Baldwin, who also is on the board of directors for Habitat, said having government officials see first-hand the work and care that goes into the houses helps them understand the importance of affordable housing.

For Deon Stein, having people come together — whether a pro builder or politician — to help build his home has been "a humbling experience."

"To see people giving without expecting a reward or getting something back, that's what has struck me," Stein said. "This experience has been such a lesson and a blessing for our family."


Stephanie Antonian Rutherford can be reached at 966-0665 or srutherford@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published June 3, 2008
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