In the News

Habitat for Humanity keeps on giving
Posted: Sunday, Dec 31, 2006 - 01:22:13 pm PST
By MARY BERRYHILL
Staff writer

(Used with the permission of the Bonner County Daily Bee)

SANDPOINT -- Habitat for Humanity is the organization that gives all year long.

This upcoming spring, the Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity is readying its 10th home for occupancy. The non-profit organization has been in existence for 15 years now, thanks to founder Mike Schissler and a host of area individuals and businesses.

While building homes in Mexico on a mission for his church, Schissler decided that when he returned home to Sandpoint, he was going to look into starting the program that builds homes for low-income families.

He soon founded the Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity. Two years later the first Habitat home was being built in Whiskey Jack on Red Clover Lane. Shortly after a second was built at Jewel Lake.

"That one took quite a while to construct because it was a considerable distance from town," said Curt Hagan, former president of Habitat, and currently its vice president.

Following the home on Jewel Lake, two additional homes were constructed on a plot of land east of Division on Hickory. Ken and Annie Jackson donated the land. Later, two more houses were built next to the East Bonner County Library, followed by another two on Cedar west of the library.

"In the early times, Mike (Schissler) was working construction all day and still, he would stop on his way home from his regular job and work some more on the Habitat homes - up to three additional hours a day," Hagan said. "So that was a lot of dedication."

Schissler owned and operated Schissler Construction, and when he passed away, a plot of land was dedicated in his name. It was called Schissler Meadows and is located about five miles northeast of Sandpoint.

"His dream was to get to that 10th home," Hagan said.

"We both used to laugh and say that if we could get 10 houses, we wouldn't have to worry about finding anymore donations. But that was a dirty trick because we discovered that Habitat still worries about donations because there is such a demand."

Upon completion, all Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity homes are "free and clear" with no mortgages. Recipients, in turn, make payments on their homes and also dedicate 300 to 500 hours on the homes that they will some day own. They are asked to give other Habitat recipients a helping hand on their homes as well.

"When we dedicate a home, there is no debt remaining on it," Hagan said. "Everything is paid for as we go, and that includes the land. When payments are made, the money is used for the next home to be built. So we are kind of unusual in that respect. But there is never enough money. We continue to fundraise, and all those things that non-profits do."

A recent newcomer to the Idaho Panhandle Habitat, Ron Read, said that three years ago while searching for a home to buy, he met Hagan, who is also a local Realtor. Hagan asked him if he'd like to become involved in Habitat, and today Read finds himself working three hours each day, seven days a week, managing Habitat's day-to-day operations.

"The work doesn't stop," he said.

Read, who owns Rocky Mountain Excavation, oversees all water, road and sewer issues, coordinates utilities, and takes care of various city matters. He also helps search out donations for the projects.

"We've been involved in Habitat now for four months and our job is to make sure everything is going smoothly," Read said. "Habitat is alive and doing well."

To keep the Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity alive, donations of time and services are provided by such businesses as Rocky Mountain Excavation and Cedar Street Electric. Dan Provolt of Northwest Traverse donated all surveying services from the very beginning for all 15 lots. Sewell Engineering has been generous with their engineering services.

"They are a group of three who have worked so hard on all of this," Hagan said.

Hagan, who joined the organization in 1994 with three original Habitat members who are still involved today - Penny Mattson, Tom Harvill and Joe Johnson.

Marty Taylor, Jessie King, Eric Eldenburg, Consolidated Pipe and a host of other individuals and businesses have helped eliminate area homelessness over the years. The Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity wouldn't exist without them.