Sakkinen House Dedicated in September

Fall 2012
P.O. Box 231 * Houghton, Michigan 49931 * 906-482-5376
[email protected]
*
www.coppercountryh4h.org
(l to r) Debbie Harri, Mark Sakkinen, Theresa Sakkinen, exchange smiles
and expressions of gratitude during the dedication ceremony
Sakkinen House Dedicated in September
Friends, family, neighbors, volunteers, other
area Habitat homeowners and Habitat Board
members gathered with Theresa and Mark Sakkinen on September 29 to dedicate their beautiful
home completed during the 2012 build season.
Rev. Brian Weinkauf shared readings and prayers.
The Sakkinen’s family partner, Debbie Harri, who
assisted the Sakkinens through the whole process
from selection to the handing over of the keys,
also took part in the program.
Special guests included Theresa’s mother,
Frances Oliver, and her sister, Margaret Sheppard,
who made the journey from downstate to be a part
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
of the event. Local television coverage by TV6
and ABC10 also made the day seem extra festive,
highlighting the generosity of others that made
this family’s dream of home ownership a reality.
Following the dedication in Laurium the
group gathered at Calumet United Methodist
Church for a brief volunteer appreciation lunch,
recognizing the many hands and many hours that
contributed to the completion of this home.
Theresa and Mark were wonderful people to
work with and are now committed advocates of
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity. Theresa is
continuing to volunteer at the ReStore.
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ReView
Joseph Mihal
CCHFH ReStore Manager
“What is the use of living, if it not be to strive for noble
causes and to make this muddled world a better place for
those who will live in it after we are gone?”
Winston Churchill (speech in Dundee, 1908)
Exciting news at your ReStore! After 3 ½ years of
using a combination of U-HAULS, pickup trucks, and
small trailers to pick up donated
items, the Copper Country affiliate
purchased an 18-foot box truck in
July.
Formerly used by Rowe Moving and Storage, the 1998 Isuzu
diesel came equipped with a tailgate lift and side loading door.
With just over 125,000 miles and
in good running order, the truck
was just the right fit at a price we
could afford. Thanks to Ken Rowe
for making it happen.
Nothing advertises a business
better than eye-catching graphic
signage on a box truck. Signage
runs the cost gamut from simple
THANK YOU


Tony Abe of Trail
Creek Motors who has lent
the ReStore the use of his truck
several times in the last couple of
years for picking up donations.

John Hamilton Construction who in June arrived
with a bucket lift to spend several
hours repairing mortar joints on
the ReStore’s corbelled brick top
of its heat exhaust chimney.
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two-color wording right up to the costly but much
more effective multi-color box truck wraps. The question we pondered was how to afford the more expensive box wrap signage. When the bids were in, we
were blessed and very grateful to have Industrial
Graphics of Houghton offer to do a wrap for a price
that would not bust the budget. To Ben and Joe of Industrial Graphics, thanks for going above and beyond
the call of duty in giving our ReStore truck the look
and feel of a colorful 4-sided moving billboard.
MI Works Summer Youth Worker
This summer for the first time
the store collaborated with the
Western U.P. Michigan Works
Summer Youth Employment program to obtain a worker. Dillon
Mulari started in June, and by the
time the program ended in late August, he had compiled an exemplary record of helping store customers, organizing and preparing donated items, and just being an all
around good guy.
Dillon Mulari preps a table
making it ready for sale
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
Wells Fargo Grant Assists 2012 Build
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity is pleased
to announce the receipt of a $15,000 grant from Wells
Fargo on behalf of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to support projects
which exist to create sustainable homeownership opportunities for low income families. The project designated in the grant was the 2012 CCHFH build for
which the funds helped purchase materials.
The Wells Fargo team of volunteers with
grant “check” in front of Laurium build
A Wells Fargo volunteer lays protective
plastic on the carpets for the dedication
The Wells Fargo Grant is a contribution of funds
and labor. A group of Wells Fargo volunteers helped
the Sakkinens put the finishing touches on their home
making it ready for the September dedication.
2012 Volunteer Photo Album
Students from MTU ESL program raise a wall!
THANK
YOU
McGANN’S
Old Reliables
(emphasis on
reliable more
than old!)
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
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Filers Reflect on 8 years of “Habitat 500”
Deb Filer
We discovered a wonderful way of helping to provide
donations to the Copper Country Habitat for Humanity—by
riding the “Habitat 500.” We have to give credit to our
friend Emily Fiala, who sparked our (that’s us, Bob & Deb
Filer) interest in this bicycle tour. We attempted this journey for the first time in 2005, got “hooked,” and then continued to participate in it
for eight years.
The Habitat
500 is a
pledged, fully
supported 500mile, 7-day
bicycle ride,
organized by
Habitat for
Humanity of
Minnesota,
Deb & Bob arrive in New Ulm, and it is the
most orgaMN after biking 81 miles. A
nized, friendwonderful day!
ly, wellsupported ride we’ve ever participated in. You’re not just a
number; you’re a part of the Habitat 500 family.
Each year a different route is selected. There are frequent “rest stops,” loaded with healthy foods, beverages &
friendly, smiling, encouraging volunteers. The route is even
“marked,” so that the detailed maps provided each day need
to be consulted very, very rarely. Rider safety is the primary concern of the ride directors and we felt very well taken
care of.
Although the average mileage each day is about 70
miles, we start riding about 7:00 AM and have all day to
ride. An expert bicycle mechanic is
available to repair bicycles that
have flats or other mechanical problems and volunteers drive by in
“sag” vehicles frequently to provide
water or assistance, or to even give
you & your bike a “lift” if you’d
prefer to not bicycle any segment of
the ride. In addition, a nurse is
available for assistance, as well as
volunteer masseuses, to ease any
achy muscles.
The ride is supported by volunteers, that include the ride directors,
rest stop leaders, “sag” drivers, and
a host of other “behind the scenes”
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assistants. We stay at high schools, and are fed breakfast &
dinners primarily by Habitat covenant churches & local
Habitat for Humanity affiliates all of which leads to a very
low “overhead.” Compared with most fund-raising activities
across the country, an unprecedented 96¢ of every donation
we collected goes directly to build homes, not to fund the
bike ride. This year,
thanks to HFH Minnesota, 100% of the donations we collected
were given to the affiliate of our choice, Copper Country Habitat for
Humanity.
After eight years,
we have decided to
“hang our hats” (or
helmets, I guess, required for the ride!)
and not participate next
year. We’d LOVE to
help others from the
Copper Country take
our place in this fabulous journey. Should
Riders visit a Habitat site
you want to learn more
and on one day can
about the ride, go to
“bicycle, build or rest.”
http://
Deb & Bob are writing
www.habitat500.org/
prayers & best wishes to
Habitat500/
the Habitat partner
Home.html, and also
family that will be living
feel free to talk with
in this home.
us—it’s a rewarding
wonderful experience!
2012 Habitat 500 riders & volunteers
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
Repair Corps Program to Help Vets
Jeff Flam
Construction Coordinator
On September 19-20, I attended a mandatory training in
Ann Arbor for the new Repair Corps program. CCHFH was
one out of 84 affiliates chosen nationwide to participate in
this program funded by The Home Depot Foundation. The
Repair Corps program is specifically for veterans and focuses on supporting critical home repairs. Critical home repairs
are defined as extensive interior or exterior work performed
to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations for homeowners in need. One of the most important
aspects of the critical home repair process includes assessing the home and creating a scope of work. This was the
focus of the two-day training.
The first day was spent in the classroom where emphasis
was placed on building science, which is basically about the
flow of heat, air, and moisture and their effects on the home.
A thorough understanding of building science will enable
one to have a better understanding of the causes, control
measures, and effects on both the home and its occupants.
Another important concept that was pointed out is to view
the house as a system, where changes in one part of the
building may have effects on all other portions of the building. For example, if the scope of work stated that more attic/
wall insulation was needed and the heating system was to be
upgraded, then the increased insulation will have an effect
on the heating load of the home and the heating system
should be sized accordingly.
On day two we visited a house to go through the assessment process. For this home, the homeowner wanted to
have the roof replaced and a new kitchen counter installed.
The first order of business was to conduct an assessment of
the house (using two people at a minimum).
We started on the outside and noted the following issues;
poor condition of the roof, peeling paint on siding, minor
foundation cracks, no gutters, and grade sloping toward
foundation. Next, we moved inside (basement) and to the
combustion appliance zone (CAZ) where the furnace and
water heater are located. The water heater was an atmospherically venting appliance, (vented through a chimney) so
we needed to conduct a carbon monoxide (CO) test to determine that the home and CAZ did not have a CO problem.
Once we determined there were no CO issues, we assessed the basement and noted the following issues: furnace
should be serviced and inspected by heating contractor, water heater should be replaced due to age and because it is
atmospherically vented, asbestos on ductwork, water intrusion in one corner, and outdated electrical service panel.
First floor issues were old musty (moldy?) carpet, several
holes in the walls showing an unknown insulation material,
no grounded electrical outlets, window in shower wall with
water damage, no smoke or CO detectors, and bird nests
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
Apply Now to the Repair Corps Program
To qualify a home must be: (1) owneroccupied (i.e. rental properties are ineligible)
and include an honorably discharged
veteran, (2) located in Houghton, Baraga or
Keweenaw County, and (3) in serious need
of repair or accessibility upgrades.
Call (482-5376), or download an application
(www.coppercountryh4h.org). Applications
received by December 15 will be considered
for our first Repairs Corps project which will
be completed by June 30, 2013.
and one dead bird in the attic. We did not conduct a blower
door test to determine air leakage sites throughout the home
because of the possibility of pulling unknown contaminants
from the wall holes, bird nests, the dead bird, and asbestos.
As you can see, there were many issues with this home
and the kitchen counter is not one of them. The next step
would be to determine if this home is worth “fixing”, and if
so, then a scope of work would have to be developed. Remember that the Repair Corps Program is a critical repair to
a veteran’s home with the goal of creating/maintaining a
safe, healthy, durable and affordable home using sustainable
building practices.
I would like to thank CCHFH Board of Directors for
approving the funding for me to attend this training.
BUILDING LOTS NEEDED
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity is in need
of lots so that we can make home ownership a
reality for local families. Lots should be 50’ x
100’ and preferably located in Houghton or
Baraga counties. The lots need to be in an area
where water, sewer and natural gas are
available.
We accept donated lots and also consider lots
that are for sale. In either case the lot needs to
be evaluated by the building committee to see if
it’s acceptable. If you think you have a lot for us
to consider please call the Habitat office.
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BULLETIN BOARD
Furniture
Lamps
Flooring
Cabinets
Please consider a donation to
Copper Country
Habitat for Humanity’s
endowment fund
at the Keweenaw
Community Foundation.
Donations made
to community foundations
are deductible on
federal tax returns.
Your Donations
Needed for
CCHFH ReStore
Bathroom fixtures
Building supplies
Household appliances
YOU MAY QUALIFY
FOR EXTERIOR
HOME REPAIRS!
A Brush With Kindness
applications are available by
contacting the CCHFH office
[email protected]
906-482-5376.
236 Quincy St. Hancock,
Michigan 49930
(906) 482-9673 FAX 482-9679
Copper Country ReStore
Where:
25971 Pine Street, Calumet
Contact: (906) 337-0020, [email protected]
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
Thank you for feeding the volunteers!
Ambassador Restaurant, Houghton
Bucko’s Party Store, Calumet
Burger King, Calumet
Econo Foods, Houghton
First United Methodist, Hancock
Hardee’s, Houghton
Harter’s Party Store, Calumet
Holiday Station Store, Calumet
Jim’s Pizza, Hancock
Joe & Debra Herbig
Little Caesar’s, Houghton
Loading Zone II, Lk Linden
Louie’s Super Foods, Lk Linden
Pat’s Foods, Calumet
Subway, Calumet
Taco Bell, Houghton
Toni’s Country Kitchen, Laurium
Jimalee Jones Wins Quilt!
The lucky winner of the
CCHFH quilt raffle was
Jimalee Jones of Hancock.
Many thanks to the FIFI
(Find It & Fix It) ladies in
Skanee for the gorgeous
queen-sized quilt that was
raffled off raising over
$1,100 for Copper Country
Habitat for Humanity.
CCHFH Board of Directors
Amy Hughes, President
Christy Hilgers, Vice President
Joseph Herbig, Treasurer
Mary Anderson, Secretary
Bill Binroth
Brittany Bulleit
Stephanie Cook
Alayna Crouch
René Johnson
Greg Oestreich
Juan Marin
Michael D’Angelo (MTU)
Tony Schwaller
Soren Schmidt
Louisa D. Wills
ReStore Manager: Joseph Mihal
Construction Coordinator: Jeff Flam
Office Coordinator: Emily Fiala
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012
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NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 16
HOUGHTON, MI 49931
P.O. Box 231 - Houghton, MI 49931
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
THANK YOU LOCAL BUSINESSES
We appreciate these businesses for donating
materials and labor for the CCHFH 2012 build:
Wells Fargo Bank
J. E. Hendrickson Excavating
Clearwater Surveying
Weather Tight Home Energy Services
McGann Building Supply
Garver Painting
Citizens Bank
DP Construction
Ace Hardware, Calumet
Dow Chemical Company
Whirlpool Corp.
Hunter Douglas
Nu-Wool, Inc.
Many thanks to individuals, groups and businesses
who donated lunches for the volunteer builders.
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Teresa Sakkinen shows off the back-of-the-door
spice rack in her cupboard, a special feature
donated by McGann’s Building Supply, in the
kitchen cabinets purchased for the home
Copper Country Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2012