By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
MENTONE — Forgive Kimber Boyd if she had trouble sleeping Friday night as she thought about the reality of moving on Saturday from an apartment laden with black mold and rodents to a new Habitat for Humanity home.
Boyd, her four daughters, and her mother were officially handed the keys to their new residence late Friday afternoon in a ceremony on North Franklin Street in Mentone.
It was the 38th house constructed by Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, but this was unique in how the recipient’s employer stepped up to assist.
Wildman Business Group hosted a wall build in which about 50 employees volunteered to help construct wall panels at its facility in Warsaw. The panels were then taken to Mentone for final assembly.
Such an approach makes it easier for employees to volunteer their time.
Overall, about 137 people volunteered to assist with the eight-month build.
Boyd, who has worked for the company for about six years, applied with Habitat and had lots of support from her employer.
Audrey Russell, the company’s Director of Dream Management, works with employees to improve their physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and financial circumstances.
Habitat was a perfect fit.
“I get the opportunity to literally dream with our employees and find out what their hopes and dreams are and try to help them fulfill their dreams,” Russell said. “I’m their accountability partner and I meet with them monthly and we talk about what it is they want to do.”
This was the company’s first habitat project and Russell said look forward to doing more in the future.
Other groups stepped up in significant ways.
Boyd’s lot is one of two donated by the Tim Croy family in Mentone. Another Habitat home will be constructed next door in the future.
Creighton Brothers provided $30,000 through a donor-advised fund with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the Mentone project.
The 1,350-square-foot single-story home has four bedrooms and two baths.
The Boyd family has struggled with housing for years. Their home on Lake Sharon in Winona Lake had numerous health issues and was so small that two of the girls slept in the living room.
The family also had some health issues in the past year.
“It’s been a very rough year,” Boyd said. “To be able to come here and have a fresh start and the girls have already switched schools and they’re doing amazing. It’s been such a difference for them.”
Her daughters include Nicole, 18, Aubrey, 12, Lexi, 11, and Izzy, 7. Boyd’s mother, Patty Bumgardner, is also part of the household.
“Habitat is a blessing,” Boyd said, adding that it can make a difference in the lives of those who get involved.
Executive Director Ben Logan, who handed the keys to Boyd and oversaw Friday’s celebration, said they have a family lined up for the second home next door.
The pace of construction has grown under Logan’s leadership.
They’re trying to do three groundbreakings and three closings per year.
“We need more housing,” Logan said. “It’s as simple as that, and people are looking at Habitat as the solution and I’m just really grateful. We live in a generous community and they’re really coming through.”
New initiatives will likely be announced soon, he said.
I think there are more opportunities,” Logan said.
Stephanie Overbey, CEO of the community foundation said they also have new plans in the works with Habitat in the future.
