Blitz Build of Stevensville Habitat home launches Forest Products Week

STEVENSVILLE Building a home in 72 hours, constructed with lumber donated by Montanas seven mills, the Forests for Humanity Blitz Build kicked off in Stevensville on Friday and launched the third annual Montana Forest Products Week.

The project requires the labor of more than 40 local volunteers each day, with support from the Society of American Foresters, Missoula Federal Credit Union, University of Montanas Carpentry Program, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity and more.

Habitat partner family and future homeowners Lori Call and her daughter Miranda Rivera were at the site Lori pounding nails and Miranda hobbling along in a cast.

The flurry of construction ceased for a brief ceremony at noon.

Gov. Steve Bullock said, The suggestion at times is somehow that the community is actually helping out Lori and Miranda, but in many ways Lori and Miranda are helping out a community.

Its when we all come together be it the seven mills, be it the high school students and Key Clubs, be it the boards, be it everybody who says we can all work together on something thats a little bit bigger than any one of us as individuals. So the gift isnt given to you two, you two are giving this gift to this community and, indeed, the state.

Said Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Director John Tubbs: This week brings a focus to the forest products industry in Montana and how important it is for our communities for having those seven operating mills.

The ceremony also honored Darby Schools Rick Scheele and Victor Schools Lyle Thompson for their wood energy programs and Dirk Kruger of the Montana Logging Association.

Then construction resumed.

Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity executive director Mike Kibler said the Blitz Build was proceeding right on schedule.

Read more:
Blitz Build of Stevensville Habitat home launches Forest Products Week