Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008 12:00 am
Habitat for Humanity looking forward to project landmark Saturday
By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter
Pam McElroy's eyes widened as she walked through the yard behind the Benton Habitat for Humanity ReStore and spotted a stack of fence panels leaning against a wall. She knew immediately that she could use them to protect her garden from her Springer spaniel puppy April, who seemed bent on destroying every plant in the yard.
McElroy is from Newport, but every few months she takes a drive to Corvallis to visit the ReStore to pick up building materials to use on her kitchen, which she's remodeling around a Sub-Zero freezer she bought at the ReStore. She still marvels at the bargain, $540. And because it was a Wednesday, she got a 10 percent senior discount, a store tradition.
"I'm officially old," she said with pride, and not above taking advantage of a good bargain.
It's hard for McElroy to walk through the expansive discount home store without finding stacks of things to buy. She's thrilled not only about the bargains, but also that her purchases benefit an organization she's long loved, Habitat for Humanity. All the profits from the store go to Habitat projects.
"I have only worked on one Habitat house, in Boulder, Colo.," she said. "It was an absolutely wonderful experience. That was a pretty golden day."
Saturday is shaping up as another golden day for Habitat: That's when volunteers will hold a wall-raising for the latest Benton Habitat for Humanity house, the 26th house it's built since its creation in 1991.
Back at the ReStore, Beau Henry walked through room after room, pointing out some of the shop's most popular items, which include everything from wood doors to vinyl windows, appliances to bathtubs. Hot items like pedestal sinks rarely last more than 24 hours in the shop, and patio tables also go fast.
"We have a pretty good stock of everything," said Henry, who works at the store. In fact, Henry remodeled his own master bathroom for $2,500, with all materials purchased at the ReStore. He estimates that the job would have cost $25,000 if a contractor had built it and used new materials.
The store's inventory is all donated, and ranges from brand-new, in-the-box items to gently used things like cabinets and lamp shades. Regardless of origin, the stock is all between 50 and 75 percent off retail, and often other specials and discounts are applied as well.
Debbie Coppenger, executive director of Benton Habitat for Humanity, said the program has between 50 and 75 volunteers a month working on building projects, helping at the ReStore and doing other tasks that help Habitat survive. But more help is always needed.
Benton Habitat averages two builds a year. The group is currently building a family home on Lewisburg Road (that's the one that will have its walls raised on Saturday) and is set to build two homes on Tunison Avenue in southeast Corvallis in late summer or early fall.
Coppenger believes providing housing to families who need it can make an impact on several generations by providing a big step up and creating stability in their lives.
"There is such an overwhelming need for affordable housing" in Benton County, she said, and Habitat tries to fill a little of that need with each project.
"Statistics tell us that 30 percent of Benton County residents are classified as low-income, and yet the median value of a home is $275,000. There is a huge gap there."
Habitat relies on donated property, labor and materials to make each project happen, and a huge boon to the local organization is a property called Hilltop Village off 13th Street in Northwest Corvallis, donated to Habitat by Jean Kliewer and her husband, the late Dr. David Kliewer. There is room on the property for 18 lots, six of which will likely be sold at market value, which will help finance the infrastructure and roads needed on the site. Eventually, Coppenger hopes to see 12 Habitat residences built as well, using green building techniques.
The Benton Habitat for Humanity ReStore is located at 1327 N.W. Ninth St. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, although hours may be extended until 6 p.m. soon. For more information call 752-6637. Donations are always welcome. See the Web site for details.
To find out more about Benton Habitat for Humanity, see www.bentonhabitat.org or call 752-3354.
To help
A wall-raising for the latest Benton Habitat for Humanity house is scheduled from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at 5823 N.W. Village Green Place off Lewisburg Road. Volunteers are needed, as well as for other projects, including the Habitat ReStore. To find out more about Benton Habitat for Humanity, see www.benton habitat.org or call 752-3354.