Work began last week at the site of Habitat For Humanity of Gage Countys latest rehabilitation project.

The home, located at 1015 Lincoln Street in Beatrice, belongs to John and Betty Bstandig. According to Allen Grell, construction manager for HFH of Gage County, the couple has given much of themselves to Beatrice for many years. He said he is proud to be working with a family that has given so much to the community.

John is very active in his church, Grell explained. Betty is a special ed instructor. Shes also been a youth volunteer bowling out at Tonka Lanes for quite a long period of time. They are a nice family.

John described him and his wife as "the working poor" -- those who make just enough to take care of the day-to-day necessities, but are unable to afford any major expenses, such as improvements to their home.

We also had a bunch of medical problems, too. Betty said. John has heart problems, and weve had to have surgery for that. A couple years ago, I had cancer. I had to have a major surgery with that, and I had to have a gallbladder surgery. We have all those bills piling up. Trying to get anything else done is really kind of difficult.

Betty said she and her husband were urged to apply by those within HFH of Gage County. Grell said the organization had considered the house for rehabilitation for quite some time.

We have watched that house as a potential opportunity for Habitat to do something positive for a family, he said. We thought about painting it. When we went to see about painting it, we thought it would be much better if we resided it. That will give it longer life. They wont have to paint it again.

The project began Wednesday when members of the HFH of Gage County Board of Directors cleaned seedlings and other growth near the propertys fence line. On Thursday, volunteers removed the homes porch to make way for the replacement of siding.

Exmark employees are completing the bulk of the rehabilitation. Exmarks parent company, Toro, celebrates its 100th year of business Thursday, and the company is sponsoring 100 acts of caring in Toro communities worldwide.

This is going to be considered one of our 100 acts of caring that we do in Beatrice, said Senior Manufacturing Accountant Barb Engler. Habitat is always one of the favorites of the Toro company to work with. They work with Habitat all over the world. They always provide great opportunities for us to get involved.

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Helping Humanity

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July 8, 2014 at 8:34 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Siding replacement