Journal of the 11th Home

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Thank You!
There really is no way
to properly thank everyone
who in some way
big or small
helped make this
dream become a reality.

There were so many of you
who took time out of
your busy schedule
to give a little part of yourself.

We would like to wish you
nothing but the best for your kindness.

Thank You,
Portland Habitat Board of Directors
Cottrell Family



January 22, 2012 ~
Portland Habitat for Humanity 11th Home Dedication
 
Portland Habitat for Humanity's Home Dedication was held on Sunday January 22, 2012. Bill Kavanagh, President of the Portland Habitat, presented Christina Cottrell the keys and Holy Bible that were blessed by Reverend Dr. Marilyn Danielson from the First Congregational Church of Portland. There were a number of family, friends and neighbors gathered together along with Habitat members as Reverend Danielson gave a heartfelt blessing over the home and all who will be living there.
 
It was nice to be able to see the home upon completion and visit with the Cottrell family and friends. It has been a long road from the beginning when Habitat members first began looking at the home plans with Christina, to the day of the dedication. Many hours of "sweat equity" were put into the home by family, friends, volunteers and Habitat members. When looking at the family with tears of joy on their face during the dedication, that moment captured the reason why everyone came together to make it all happen. After prayers and the dedication, a ceremonial ribbon cutting took place outside the front of the home with Christina and Portland Habitat members.
 
During the home dedication Dick Lawless was presented with a Habitat for Humanity hat for his many years of service of being on the board. He was with the group from the beginning and has worked on all eleven homes. He has more hours of volunteer work on the homes than anyone past or present with the Habitat board. His hard work and knowledge of building the homes has been priceless.
 
The Habitat group would like to thank everyone involved with donating their time, talent and donations to make this all come together.

* Cookies were donated by Cheeky Monkey for the dedication...very delicious!




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December 16, 2011 ~ Today was the home inspection....and it passed!  There are a few little things that need to be completed yet for the inspection, but nothing that would hold us back from moving the family in.  This is good news.  This weekend will be the beginning of the move in process.  The family will be able to wake up on Christmas Day in their new home.  How awesome is that?! 

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December 13, 2011 ~ The porches were built today.  Most of the trim has been put up and the tile has been installed in the kitchen.  Last week the new stop sign and road sign was put in place. Getting closer day by day. 

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November 23rd. 2011 ~ The day before Thanksgiving.  The home is nearing completion.  The walls are being painted, the hardwood floors are down, the fan/lights are all working and the kitchen counter and cupboards are in.  Still lots to do before moving in, but things are getting closer.  Maybe by Christmas time.

Tuesday August 23, 2011 ~ Roof is done, windows are in. The siding will be going on this week. Electrical and mechanical are getting started soon. Cooks will be finishing the dirt work. Porches need to be built next. Progress is being made!



Sunday August 7, 2011 ~ This was a big day!   This is the day that the home went up.  Many volunteers came and went throughout the day and some stayed until the end of the day.  But when the day was done the home stood proud.  Christina was in awe as she watched the progress of so many people coming together to build her home.  There is still a lot of work to do to complete the home, but progress was made in leaps and bounds today!  A very big “Thank You” goes out to everyone who made this day possible.



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Friday July 29, 2011 ~ The mailbox was put in place today. This was a very exciting day when Christine stood and looked at her mailbox. It meant the reality of her living there soon is drawing closer.  Take a look at the sunset over the home build! 





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Wednesday July 27, 2011 ~ Over the past few weeks the geo thermal tubing, along with drains and pipes were installed in the basement floor.  This was getting ready for the laundry and the additional bathroom that will be installed in the basement. Early this morning the basement floor was poured.  Now the stairs can be built and the next phase of construction will begin.
 

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Tuesday June 21, 2011 ~ The forms were put up and at 2:15 the cement trucks started rolling in.  It was a super hot sunny day, but that didn’t stop progress.  There were two trucks pouring the walls while bulldozing was taking place around the outside.  It was quite a production.  Lots of progress was made today.



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Friday June 17, 2011 ~The basement that had been dug and didn't pass inspection was bulldozed back in and a new basement was bulldozed out closer to the road. Forms had been set yesterday and this morning around 11:00am the footings had been poured.



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June 8, 2011 ~ We have our permits and ground has been broken! Cook Brothers Excavating Inc. dug the basement today.  It was a sweltering hot 90 degree plus day.  Christina and kids were excited with anticipation. We have planned and waited for a long time so to finally see the basement being dug was quite a joy.
A big "Thanks" goes out to Cook Brothers.



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May 26, 2011 ~ The walls were delivered by Sergeant Ferriss and Sergeant Bigos from the Michigan Army National Guard from St. Louis.  There were many volunteers on hand to help take the walls off the truck.  The walls were built off site at the Ionia Prison.  This is a great program that they have at the prison to build walls for Habitat for Humanity.  Another program that they have at the Prison is building the kitchen cabinets.  We will also be ordering those.

 

We are now waiting for the building permit which will hopefully be any day now.



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April 2011~We now have a name for the new private road that the driveway will be coming off from.  The name of the road is: Kerrigan Lane

Next we will be applying for a house address.  Then a building permit.    We are working on getting bids for materials.  We have zoning approved and they have been out to look at getting electric to the building site.  The staked in area was looked at by the excavation crew and has been approved.  Things are moving forward!





April 20, 2011 ~ Stakes were placed.  The Journey has begun!  Spring is a time for all things to start a new beginning.  The Habitat Home on Butler Road ~ Portland, Michigan will be part of that new beginning this spring.

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