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Habitat kicks off its 2017 Caring Campaign

PARKERSBURG — Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley Monday morning kicked off its 2017 Caring Campaign with the hopes of raising $175,000 by Valentine’s Day.

The campaign, which finances the construction of Habitat homes in Wood and Washington counties, is at 40.8 percent of the goal because of corporate donations, said Robin Stewart of the Resource Development Team for Habitat.

“Which is a wonderful, wonderful thing to have on the first day,” Stewart said.

The campaign kickoff was held at the Habitat home of Brandon and Tessa Smith at 2402 Seventh Ave., which is under construction. Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry and families are required to work on their homes – sweat equity – and pay off the 0 percent mortgage.

“This is of course not a hand out,” said Treasa Mackey, president of the Habitat board of directors, who is a recipient of a Habitat home, in announcing the campaign goal. “It is a hand up.”

Five homes will be completed this year, Alvin Phillips, executive director of Habitat, said.

While the need is great in this area, 10 percent of the funds locally raised are used to build Habitat homes around the world, Phillips said.

“Around the world there is so much need,” he said.

The 2017 campaign will finance the homes to be constructed in 2018, Mackey said.

Twenty-two people will have homes this year through Habitat for Humanity, Mackey said. Construction involved the families, 85 Habitat volunteers and 2,500 hours of labor, she said.

“We can’t do this without funding,” she said.

Theme for 2017 is Family Stories, Mackey said. Homeowners will be asked to share their experiences to encourage donors to sponsor more homes, she said.

The announcement was held at the 98th Habitat home. Also under construction are Nos. 99 and 100.

The 101st will be in Belpre and the 102nd will be in Vienna.

“We got a lot going on,” Lisa Collins, of the Habitat Resource Development Team, said.

Collins pointed out that donations of $500 or more in West Virginia are eligible for state tax credits through the Neighborhood Investment Program. All donations to Habitat are 100 percent tax deductible.

However, there is a great need for properties where homes can be built, she said. If anyone has property in Wood or Washington counties and is willing to donate to Habitat, contact Habitat at 304-422-7907. The value of the land is tax deductible, she said.

“Without properties, we can’t build homes,” Collins said.

The 2016 goal was $150,000, Phillips said. Last year’s goal was reached, he said.

“We decided to challenge ourselves a little bit more this year,” Phillips said.

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