Mattoon Journal-Gazette/Charleston Times-Courier

published April 4, 2008. Reprinted with permission

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer, Journal-Gazettte/Times Courier

CHARLESTON — For this groundbreaking you might want to wear boots or hightops. Coles County Habitat for Humanity is holding a groundbreaking at 2 p.m. Sunday at E Street and Locust for its 20th house project. But with the possibility of rain and the moist ground conditions, it is best to dress for raindrops.

“If it’s raining we can’t really delay a groundbreaking. This time of year you can’t really postpone because it might be raining the next weekend,” said Habitat office Manager Cindy Roberts.

This home will be built for Steve Irby and his son, Tolin, both of whom will share in the project through their mandatory “sweat time.” The new home will include three bedrooms when completed this year.This project is a major milestone for the Habitat group that helps families build their own homes since 1989.

“This is our 20th home. It’s really exciting,” Roberts said. “We’ll have three shovels for the groundbreaking ceremony. Anyone is welcome to come and offer congratulations.”

The construction pace will ramp up later this month during a Habitat Blitz Day. That is when a large group of volunteers and the future owners put up the walls and roof of the new home. Others with no true construction skills offer help with moving materials or arranging refreshments for thirsty workers. Then the finishing work keeps on pace.

“The Blitz Day will be sometime this month, probably April 19. It all depends on the weather for putting in the foundation,” Roberts said.

One way to keep up on the Habitat home events is to check the Web site at www.colescountyhabitat.net.

Even with the possibility of foul weather, a Habitat event draws plenty of smiles from attendees. Organizers and volunteers get ready to pitch in. And different Habitat families show up, including some seeking to offer assistance to other Habitat home builders. Habitat requires participation by Habitat homeowners on some projects.

Others help with donations or fundraisers for Habitat, which builds homes across the country and even in foreign countries.

Three habitat home projects are in the works for this year. At this rate, Coles County will be hitting the 30th home milestone within a few years.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.