Ever since 1988, Habitat for Humanity in Putnam County has been offering a "hand up, not a handout."

With 19 homes built, rehabbed or remodeled during that time, Habitat for Humanity continues to make an impact in Putnam County. 

The impact can be felt not only across the county, but by the families who are selected and have to help with the build, as families have to put in about 500 hours of "sweat equity," which can include clearing land, assisting with the build, remodel or rehab, pay a pro-rated mortgage and help with the cost of supplies by reimbursing Habitat for Humanity for materials. 

"Despite some popular opinions, Habitat does not "give away free homes." The family works side by side with volunteers, and will then receive an interest free mortgage, based on ability to pay," executive director David English told The Putnam County Post. 

English said he enjoys many things about his position with the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity. 

"It is a very gratifying experience to see the community in which I was raised to step-up and allow, via all there various types of Donations, Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, to be able to provide affordable housing to a family," said English, who graduated from Bainbridge High School. 

English said there are many ways a person in the county can get involved with Habitat for Humanity. 

"One can volunteer in many ways, such as becoming a board member, helping with fund raising projects, helping at the build site or being a financial partner by sponsoring an event, being a sustaining donor or a one time donor for a specific project," English said. 

English said volunteers are currently being recruited to help complete a remodel project for a disabled Vietnam veteran. 

"The couple lives in Greencastle and worked until retirement age, as most of us do. While working, they saved their money in order to be able to remodel their home, making it more functional in their retirement. Unfortunately, during this time, the wife suffered two heart attacks and the husband incurred several mini strokes, possibly related to his Vietnam experience. He does draw a partial disability from the VA, but this and their savings have gone to medical expenses, instead of their desire to remodel the home," English said. 

English said the kitchen floor in the house is currently sagging and is a hazard to the stability of the residents. 

 "They applied to Habitat for a Remodel Project, and were accepted for such. They will reimburse Habitat for Materials used in the Remodel, and Habitat provides the Labor, via Volunteers, at no cost to them. As we all are cognizant of, the cost of labor often supersedes the material needed to complete a project. Habitat will be pulling-up the old flooring, down to the floor supports, replacing all the floor supports, then laying new sub-flooring and waterproof flooring,  removing the tub/shower combination, and installing a walk-in-shower for safety, redoing some of the cabinetry in the Kitchen, adding one lower cabinet, and placing tile behind the kitchen sink, and installing a dishwasher. Please keep in mind, that the home owners are paying for all materials and items placed in the home during the remodel," English said.

English said volunteers will be needed ranging from general labor to people with flooring experience, plumbing knowledge and experience using power tools. 

"It is a very small house, but perfect for this couple's needs in their retirement. We hope to average daily crews of three to five people and complete the project in seven to ten days. The family will not be living in the home during this time which allows our volunteers to have access to the house at all times that are convenient to the volunteers. We have a construction manager, Don Hatfield, who will be coordinating the work and the volunteer schedule. Habitat will commence the project as soon as we can pull together our volunteer team. 

In addition, volunteers can help Habitat for Humanity by attending the organization's annual dinner, which is slated for March 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Owl Ridge Event Center. 

The cost is $45.00 per person, or a table of six (6) for $240.00, which is a group savings of $30.

Also, there is annual Golf Scramble, which is scheduled for June 16 at Clover Meadows Golf Course. The cost is $300 for a foursome or $75 for an individual and sponsorships are available, as well as a lunch sponsorship and hole sponsorships.  

In addition, the Second Annual Fall Gala will be held at Three Fat Labs later this year. 

The events are important to help further push the mission of Habitat for Humanity, as Putnam County faces a "critical" housing situation and is less than affordable, according to English. 

"We know through various studies and research that a stablish housing situation provides these benefits -- stability allowing children a better opportunity to be successful in school, parents to be successful in their work environment or careers, and, on a more mundane level, it provides for stability and growth in community and enhances the property tax rolls/revenue, which allows for more money for schools and other community needs. We all strive for stability in our lives, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a contributing party to such," English said. 

He also said that working with people from all walks of life is something he thoroughly enjoys. 

"Works such as this reveals the true nature of people within our community. The number of people who care and are caring and want to help is a bright spot in my day, despite the nay-sayers who state that we cannot get these projects done for one reason or another. I have always been one in my career to want to accept those challenges, and prove people wrong by completing a project that some said could not be done. Furthermore, the people, from all walks of life, that I get to meet and interact with during these projects. Work such as this, reveals the true nature of people within our community. The number of people who care and are caring, and want to help, is a bright spot in my day, despite the nay-sayers who state that we cannot get these projects done for one reason or another. I have always been one in my career to want to accept those challenges, and prove people wrong, by completing a project that some said could not be done. The respect I have for the board members that persevered till the end in this project is tremendous; and I thank them with all my heart and soul. The businesses I have had the privilege of working with, reflect the spirit of our county, and the people that make-up the community," English said. 

For more information or to get involved, call the Habitat office at 765-653-5360 or email putnamhabitat@gmail.com, or, execdirputnamhabitat@icloud.com.