Three award recipients honored from Habitat for Humanity of Boone County

By Jane Charmelo

NEWS COORDINATOR

Habitat for Humanity of Boone County was proud to announce that three of five awards given at the Habitat for Humanity of Illinois State Conference are from its own affiliate.

Habitat for Humanity of Boone County Executive Director Len Lindeman narrated that Walter Stephens, Joe Labadie and Beth Carson were nominated for awards by several of the board members, who sent the nominations to the state Habitat organization.

The awards were given at the November 2023 state conference, he continued, adding with pride that the three nominees earned awards.

Longtime volunteer Stephens was awarded a Marketing and Public Relations Volunteer Award, Lindeman related, saying, “He’s constantly marketing the Habitat brand, getting people together, getting people to donate.”

Longtime volunteer Labadie received a Construction Volunteer Award, Lindeman said, because “Joe is one of these volunteers to be at the site to help wherever he can. We definitely wanted to give him recognition for that.”

Carson, also a longtime volunteer and board of directors secretary, received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Lindeman noted.

She was nominated “for almost all the same reasons” as the other nominees, the director said,

“She does a lot of work with the Church Committee,” he continued, describing that the committee “works with area churches to get volunteers.”

When asked how she felt upon receiving the recognition, Carson responded, “I was honored to not only be nominated, but to win the award. Habitat has been a part of my commitment to Belvidere and Boone County for years. I have worked hard to spread the word about the good work we do for families as well as the community.”

“We are very proud that Walter, Joe and Beth are recognized for all the hard work and sacrifices they put into making our Affiliate a great success,” the director commented.

“We built our first home in 2006,” Lindeman said of the beginnings of the Boone County Habitat affiliate, noting that it was launched by Henry Repay, a Belvidere attorney who is now chairman of the board of directors.

As for becoming a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Boone County, “We are always looking for volunteers; please feel free to reach out to 815-980-6247 to inquire as to how you might be able to help Habitat for Humanity of Boone County!” Lindeman said.

For more information, visit www.boone-il-habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International

According to the Habitat for Humanity website (www.habitat.org), “The idea that became Habitat for Humanity first grew from the fertile soil of Koinonia Farm, a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan.”

The narrative continues: “On the farm, Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of ‘partnership housing.’ The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses.

“The houses would be built at no profit. New homeowners’ house payments would be combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising to create ‘The Fund for Humanity,’ which would then be used to build more homes.”

The Fullers in 1973 brought the concept to Zaire, and when they returned to the United States, launched Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn lent their support to Habitat for Humanity, and now the nonprofit organization has reached all 50 states and 70 countries, helping over 59 million people secure housing.

About Habitat for Humanity of Illinois

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois was founded in 1999, according to its website (www.habitatillinois.org) and now operates 24 ReStore home improvement stores and donation centers, including Rockford, Elgin and McHenry in this readership area.