PGH News / Events
Habitat for Humanity
PGH Staff, Friends, and Family Pitch in on Habitat for Humanity Project
December 1, 2007
By Diane Harper
Employees of Prochaska, Giroux & Howell got together with their friends and family members at Habitat Village on Saturday, December 1st. The Village is a housing development project of the Wichita affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, located between N. Broadway and Arkansas, off of 33rd St. When completed, the Village will boast 42 brand new homes.
A whopping 15 homes were completed in the development in 2007 alone, due to generous donations and volunteer support.
The morning started with an orientation given by John Roszell, HFH’s Construction Supervisor. As PGH volunteers listened intently, Roszell explained the mission of Habitat for Humanity and how families qualify for housing. He then outlined the projects for the day and put everyone to work.
Diana Frye (c) and Lisa LaRue (r) listen in as John Roszell (l) explains the Habitat for Humanity mission
Early projects included finishing touches on the home built for the Rhonda Mains family, including window washing, caulking, dusting, sweeping, and other miscellaneous make-ready tasks. The 3-bedroom, 1-bath house was soon sparkling clean and ready for the second crew of volunteers to come in and place holiday decorations for the Neighborhood Open House that took place the following evening.
Keith Harper (r), John Roszell (c) and Dennis Bengtson (l) discuss installation of a bracket to secure the Mains’ new oven and range in place.
Diane Harper (l) and her mom, Jane Bengtson(r) scrub construction dust and residue from the bathroom ‘til it shines.
Ray Lewis (l) and Keith Harper (r) work together to make sure all doors are secure and in working order.
Diana Frye polishes glass on the front windows of the Mains’ home.
When cleaning projects were completed on the Mains’ home, Prochaska, Giroux & Howell volunteers split up into two teams to work on other projects. One group, including Lisa LaRue, Stephanie Struve, Diane Frye and Ray Lewis got busy putting together luminaries made with mason jars, sand, and tea lights to line the street and driveways of The Village for the next day’s open house tour. Others, including Diane and Keith Harper, and Dennis and Jane Bengtson, worked on installing installation and assembling Christmas decorations at a house still under construction across the street.
Lisa LaRue (l) and Steph Struve (r) set to work making luminaries for the Dec. 2 walking tour of Habitat Village.
Dennis Bengtson installs insulation at a partially completed home in Habitat Village.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, the event was a success! By the time volunteers packed up their tools, the Mains home was ready for move-in and another home was fully insulated and weather sealed. All in all, the volunteers from Prochaska, Giroux & Howell had a delightful time and felt blessed to be a part of the efforts to get the Mains family settled into their new home before Christmas. Thanks to all who lent a hand to this event!
Steph Struve didn’t let the rain and cold weather steal her Million Dollar Smile!
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