Cape Area Habitat for Humanity contributes to national day of service

For most of Saturday, the sounds of hammers and electric saws could be heard in and around a house being built at 1428 Ozark St. in Cape Girardeau.

The home is one of three being built by volunteers for Cape Area Habitat for Humanity. On Saturday, it and one of two Habitat houses on Country Club Drive were the focus of volunteers responding to Michelle Obama's call for a nationwide day of service as part of the inauguration festivities. Nearly 30 people showed up to help in Cape Girardeau, despite temperatures so cold that work at one home had to be scrapped because the foundation was covered with a sheet of ice.

The organization provides homes to families who otherwise could not afford them. Home candidates pay through sweat equity, banking volunteer hours helping with other families' homes before starting on their own. When a home is finished, Habitat arranges a no-money-down, interest-free mortgage equal to half the home's value for the new owner, said Habitat construction manager Terry Juden.

Saturday's volunteers ranged from the curious and giving to those dedicated to home building or pursuing a spiritual commitment.

"Jesus Christ gave us this commission," said Bob Bohnsack, a remodeling contractor who spent much of Saturday helping hang cabinets and frame windows inside the Ozark Street home. Brandon Franklin, 25, helped, having finished a painting shift. Franklin was working off 40 hours' community service ordered as the result, he said, of him "doing something stupid." He cheerfully stayed on long after others with similar court orders had gone home.

"I love it. This is something I could really get into, other than auto repair," Franklin said, "I worked here Tuesday, Thursday and today. I already met the lady who is going to live here. She's pretty nice."

Executive director Walt Wildman helped deliver pizzas donated by Papa John's to the work sites. The pizzas "were very much appreciated," said volunteer Camille Ottesen, a senior at Southeast Missouri State University. She volunteered not just because she's majoring in construction management and design, but because she wanted to help. She gives her spring break time to Habitat as well. On Saturday, she worked at 341 County Club Drive, helping Tony Faber, a Southeast professor and member of the Habitat board of directors, put siding around the home's windows.

Johnnie Robins, 57, of Marble Hill, Mo., had arrived at the County Club Drive home early Saturday, with tools, his skills as an electrician and the desire to help others.

"I was surprised to see so many here, as cold as it was this morning," he said. "This is a happy crew. I've worked on jobs where people were getting paid to be there and they weren't happy."

To apply for a home or volunteer to help, visit www.capeareahabitat.org or call 334-9728.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646

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