Marquette County Habitat for Humanity is preparing for its inaugural Veterans Build on Monday, October 12, at McClellan Meadows, located at the intersection of Center Street and North McClellan Avenue in Marquette. The initiative aims to bring together military veterans, their families, and residents to tackle regional housing affordability by working on early-stage foundation and utility infrastructure. As ReStore Director Bob Howe recently explained, everyday activity at the Habitat ReStore directly fuels projects like this, as store sales and donations are converted directly into funding for local home construction.
The build day is split into two shifts, running from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with no prior construction skills needed to participate. During the midday break from noon to 1:00 PM, volunteers will be treated to lunch, coffee donated by Negaunee's Campfire Coffee, and live musical entertainment provided by local duo Finding Feathers. Beyond the immediate progress made on October 12, this fall event acts as the official kickoff for an ambitious project next summer, where a 90-volunteer team aims to complete full home builds, including finishing an entire house in just one month.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Howe about the Veterans Build:
Organizers welcome veterans from all branches of service, military families, and any community members eager to lend a hand. Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign up early to reserve a shift on the site. Registration can be completed by calling the Habitat for Humanity office at 906-228-3578 to connect with staff, or by signing up through Habitat’s designated online volunteer portals.
More information about Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore is available at Habitat’s website.
