HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Millard Fuller became a millionaire when he was 29 years old. Even as a college student and later in law school, he had money making enterprises. Along with a wife and two children, he had all the trappings of wealth in the 1960’s Then his health began to fail, and his wife threatened to live him after six years of marriage.
Together, they went to a UCC church in New York City where they were deeply influenced by the minister. Millard returned to his work in his native Alabama but returned to New York after twelve days away. .
The Fullers realized upon being reunited that they had not been good Christians. They decided to make a big change in their lives and gave everything they owned away.
They ended up later at Koinonia Farms near Americus, Georgia. There they met Clarence Jorden, the farmer and theologian who gave them direction for their lives. They both stayed and worked on the farm and became great friends of Clarence.
The farmers around the area were living in deplorable housing. Both men decided to do something about it. They secured funds from private sources and started to build houses. Clarence died before the first house was completed, but Millard continued and enlarged the idea.
The finished home was paid for by the farmer into a mortgage fund. This fund, not associated with any bank, became the fund for more homes. More than forty houses were completed around this area in Georgia.
Later, the Fuller family moved to Zaire to introduce the same concept there. Several houses were built in this country and then the Fullers returned to Georgia.
In l976, he formulated the concept for Habitat for Humanity, International. Just two miles from Plains, Georgia, Americus was and still is the international headquarters.
Unashamedly Christian, the goal is to eradicate poverty housing worldwide. Houses are built with voluntary labor. The selected families have to contribute 500 hours of work in the construction of their new home. A small down payment plus a monthly mortgage payment from about $200 to 250 per month is the standard condition in the United States to own the home.
Ten per cent of all Habitat Funds are sent to the International Headquarters, Americus, Georgia to be used overseas. In most third world countries, the houses can be built at ten per cent or less than they cost in the United States. The funds for every house built in Tiffin provides the source for the money for one or more houses built in other countries.
Since his presidency, Jimmy Carter has become a major figure in Habitat for Humanity. In Tiffin, we need to recognize the contributions of Bob and Jo Ann Avers who went to Utah as Habitat workers. They returned to Tiffin and gave a talk at Trinity United Church of Christ. Joan Groce was a prime mover in persuading people to attend an introductory meeting. She later served as the convener for the subsequent gatherings of those interested in the idea..
In l986 the local affiliate known as Seneca Habitat for Humanity was established. Wilma Recker served as its first president for six years. The organization started with great enthusiasm but no funds.
A Columbian High School teacher, Helen Pfeiffer, gave her home to the organization and it became house number one of l7 completed houses. Houses l8 and l9 are being worked on at this time. Sixteen of the l7 houses are in Tiffin and one is in Fostoria. Most of the houses are located on 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Avenues and Vine.
The local affiliate is divided into committees such as finance, family selection, family support, and publicity. George and Marilyn Barlow of publicity have provided the information for this article. The officers are: president, Richard Kinstler, first vice-president, Cliff Farmer, building chairman, Bob Rice, recording secretary, Faye Lyon, and treasurer, Bob Overholt.
Most of the work on the houses occurs on Saturdays., Most everyone could find some way to help. This Sunday, May 3l at 2:00 PM a new home will be dedicated at l84 Fifth Avenue. The public is invited to attend. For further information about Seneca Habitat for Humanity, call 447-4270.
– Percy