The Many Blessings - Habitat dedicates its 10th home

The Barnes family were welcomed to their new home with house warming gifts including this afghan created by Joyce Wilson. / Pilot-Tribune Photo by Jennifer Nelson [Click to enlarge]

Newlyweds Anthony and Alisa (Caldwell) Barnes and their three daughters say they have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - a warm home, a safe place for their daughters to play and a job for Alisa. The couple is also thankful for one another - they were married last week. The Barnes' family was the ninth partner family for Buena Vista County's Habitat for Humanity Chapter. They received the keys to their new home, which is located next to the ninth home on Rose Lane, Monday evening during a dedication ceremony. "I and my family would like to thank everybody for their contributions. It turned out to be a beautiful house," says Anthony.

Nicer than anything he could have ever dreamed of owning, he added. The family has been living in a small, drafty trailer home. The Barnes family received a few house warming gifts including quilts presented from Elaine Goodman and Donna Peterson with Lakeside Presbyterian and an afghan presented by Joyce Wilson. A Bible donated by Habitat for Humanity was presented by Pastor Kevin Lewis of Alta Church of Christ.

Each partner family is asked to asked to complete 'sweat equity hours,' whether it be to help build the house or volunteer elsewhere in the community. Alisa chose to do her volunteer hours in the Storm Lake school district and helped in the Food Service Department. After she completed her volunteer hours she was offered a full-time job there. The BV Chapter say Anthony put in many volunteer hours at the house even though he works the night shift at Rembrandt Enterprises.

The next two partner homes will be built in Alta. "It's exciting we'll tap into a whole 'nother group of people," he says. However, Rod Muilenburg say they will continue to need Storm Lake and other surrounding community's support. If you'd like to volunteer call call Dan Robinson at 732-0093 or e-mail Nancy Alderton at nalderton@iw.net. Individuals, organizations and businesses are also encouraged to continue donating to the fall campaign. They are also looking for people who would be interested on serving on different committees. Committees include: Publicity, Finance and Development, Site Selection and Building Committee, Family Selection and Family Support Committee.

The BV Chapter would like to break ground for the eleventh house next spring

Habitat would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance with the project.

Scott Shevel, Kuehl and Payer; Steve Tate, Alta; Harold Robinson, Robinson Concrete in Spencer; Art Miller, Alta; Buena Vista County Sheriff's Department; Storm Lake Police Department; Sunshine Services;Taylor Contracting, Pete Bodholts with Bodholts; Brandon Berkland; Mike Kestel, Glen Huntington, Willy Lange with Lange Plumbing; Storm Lake High School shop class built a utility shed - first year they've volunteered; Cook Siding of Wall Lake, Jones Nursery, Mike's Lawn Service, Kim Pearcy, Darrel DePrez area restaurants among other organizations and individuals. However, Dan Robinson and Rod Muilenburg say they were somewhat shorthanded at times and say sometimes in th evenings they'd only have a few volunteers.