The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Idaho Panhandle
Habitat for Humanity as October’s Business of the Month. President Tom Harvill,
President of the Board of Directors, was present at the Chamber’s Economic
Summit on October 11 to accept the honors on behalf of the organization.
Idaho
Panhandle Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International,
which is a nonprofit Ecumenical Christian Housing organization. Their focus and
mission is to partner with families, sponsors, faith groups, and local
businesses to provide decent affordable housing for families in need. They also
operate the ReStore, located at 1424 North Boyer Ave. Donations can be dropped
off Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 pm. The restore will be moving to a new
location on Baldy Rd. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1191.
In
1991, Mike Schissler, while building homes in Mexico on a mission for his church,
decided that when he returned home to Sandpoint he was going to start a program
that builds homes for low-income families. He founded the Idaho Panhandle
Habitat for Humanity and two years later, the first Habitat home was built.
Mike passed away from a long fight with cancer. Homes are being built at
Schissler Meadows in Kootenai in dedication to their founder.
Currently,
the 15th home is being completed. In order to apply, families must apply for a
home and make approximately $25,000-30,000 per year to pay the mortgage. When
chosen for a home, a single person must put in “300 sweat equity hours”, and a
married couple must put in “500 sweat equity hours”. Idaho Panhandle Habitat
for Humanity has also funded 24 homes in developing countries in the past
years.
Please
join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Idaho
Panhandle Habitat for Humanity for their success and thanking them for their
commitment to our community. For more information, visit them at the ReStore,
1424 North Boyer Ave, email them at info@iphfh.org or call them at (208)
265-5313.
In
Photo: Tom Harvill accepts the award from Chamber Ambassador Carol Warren.
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