Editorial

Volunteer project confirms old truth

Saturday, June 28, 2008

It's an old truth, but just as valid today as when it was first spoken. "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

That's especially true when it comes to working together with friends -- old or new -- toward a common goal. Add the chance to try your hand at learning a new skill, or teaching your own hard-won skill to someone else, and you have a very rewarding experience.

Volunteers have a golden opportunity to take part in just such an effort by participating in the latest Habitat for Humanity project, now taking place on West Fairacres in McCook.

Construction began with groundbreaking April 19, but our unusually cool, wet spring has made progress slower than it might have been in recent years.

But things are picking up, and should be in full swing after a break for the Fourth of July weekend.

Jessica Lucero and children Adryan, Neveah and Anthony, are anxious to start the finish work on the inside of the structure -- but the walls have to go up first. Their husband and dad, Eric, has been in the thick of things, helping put in the foundation and preparing to erect the walls.

If you have a chance to volunteer, you may be working side-by-side with offenders from the Work Ethic Camp, working to rebuild their lives while helping build a home for a family.

If manual labor is out of the question, you may be interested in buying a chance to win one of two play houses, one built by Mike and Sandy Kotschwar of McCook, and the other by the Maywood Community Christian Men's group, supervised by Lee Jones.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, and can be purchased from any Habitat board member.

If you don't mind working up a sweat or getting a little dirty, contact Becky Dutcher, secretary for Habitat for Humanity, at (308) 345-3243 to let her know what you can do and at what time.

With any luck, the Lucero family will be able to move in by the Sept. 6 target date.

Whenever they make it into their new home, a lot of people will have learned that lending a hand and contributing money, labor and encouragement, are certainly a blessing.

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