A new home for the Bennetts
By FRANK KONKEL
Sentinel-Standard writer

IONIA - The Ionia Area Habitat for Humanity is about to house another success story.

Construction on their latest home - a three bedroom, single bath abode on 711 New N. Dexter Road - has come to a close, and now all that's left between Leslie Bennett and her family moving in is a simple occupancy permit.

In days, Bennett and her three sons, 10-year-old Chase, 9-year-old Kyle and 6-year-old Hunter will have the home of their dreams.

“We're excited, the boys can't wait to move in, except they say they don't want to move in until the cable is turned on,” Bennett said. “Everyone's been very supportive and helpful, it's been a great thing for our family.”

The past few years have been an emotional roller coaster for the Bennett family. In the summer of 2006, Bennett lost her husband, Tracy, in a motorcycle accident, leaving her a single mother of three. The possibility of a home, Bennett said, wasn't feasible; it was hard enough getting through each day. The full-time mom was also a part-time student at Montcalm Community College.

But in January of 2008, Bennett learned of the Habitat for Humanity program and figured, ‘why not?'

“When I signed up for it, I thought nothing would probably happen, that it was a long shot,” Bennett said. “But I put it in and I heard back in February. I was shocked. I'd tell anyone now to give it a try, it could happen to you.”

Bennett acknowledges her decision to apply for the program is probably the only reason Bennett and her family now have a place to call home. But these homes aren't a hand-out; Bennett will still pay for the home, but Habitat for Humanity doesn't require the homeowner to pay any interest. In addition, Bennett had to put in 250 hours of what Habitat for Humanity board member Christy Valentine calls “sweat equity.”

Valentine said between 30 and 40 volunteers also labored to get the project done, under retired foreman Larry Leak.

“Last year it was just a pile of dirt,” said Valentine of the ground the home is constructed on. “Now it's a house ready for a family.”

Habitat for Humanity is able to erect houses much cheaper than standard construction outfits in part because of the extensive volunteer effort, but also because businesses donate to each project. The land, materials from lumber companies and the poured wall were all donated or given at discounted prices. Even some appliances are donated to the cause. That kind of community involvement is rare, according to Valentine, but she just wishes more people knew about it and could get involved.

“We want to do a better job at reaching out to the community, getting the word out to the public,” Valentine said. “We'd like to get more volunteers involved.”

An increase in volunteers might lead to an increase in the number of families Habitat for Humanity could build for. And that would mean many more happy families in the Ionia area to come.

“I want to thank everyone from Habitat for Humanity and all the volunteers for the job they've done and what they've done for our family,” Bennett said. “Without them, I wouldn't have a house right now.”