Habitat a cause for community
Herald Times: Our Opinion
November 12, 2011
Every year about this time, throngs flock to the Bloomington
convention center for a breakfast of fruit, yogurt, small pastries and
cakes, juice and coffee, all set on white linen covered tables.
They’re not really there to eat of course, but to be hit up for
money. By accepting their invitation — conveyed earlier by a table
captain now armed with a packet from Monroe County’s chapter of Habitat
for Humanity — they’ve in a sense already handed over a check or credit
card number to Habitat.
But the quite clever people at Habitat, led by director Kerry
Thomson, see the opportunity. Thomson recalls the numbers — 116 county
families now in Habitat houses, with 15 more added next year. She tells
her audience a true tale of woe to wonder — Natasha, whose life turned
around with her new Habitat home from one of neglect to belonging.
Thomson then turns over the mic to Nick Cole, whose family
struggled mightily when his dad suffered debilitating injuries, who
lived in the back seat their car, he and his sister using their coats as
covers, until finally, a Habitat house brought them into the community.
Nick’s new life has provided mentors, an IU biology degree and a real
shot at life for himself and his new wife, he tells the audience. You
can almost feel wallets opening.
But it’s Clarence Knapp, who grew up in Bloomington, who provides
the dagger to the heart. A strong speaker, his voice finally cracks a
little. He hesitates for just an instant here and there, recounting his
growing up years in a loving family that provided well. He tells about —
now that he’s a grown-up with a wife and two kids of his own, living in
a cramped apartment and with bills to pay — how difficult that really
is to do. He works at Kroger, for as many hours as he can get, but
enough to buy even a modest house? That would be almost laughable if it
didn’t hurt so much — to not provide for the dreams of his kids.
Just a few weeks ago, Habitat, with scores of volunteers from IU,
from the community and from Whirlpool Corp. — all stepped up to help —
giving him the start he and his family need, he said. They will move in
over Thanksgiving weekend. The audience was quiet. Tears welled up.
Point made. And a good, a very good one. Habitat is a community
that creates community, which in turn creates the possibility to dream.
Good work. Write the check.
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2011