Sunday, September 25th marks a new beginning for Kim Helmke and her kids as they celebrate the groundbreaking of their new home. The Helmke home is being built in Wauseon through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County.
Kim, Meagan and Tyson Helmke have been working hard to fulfill the partnership requirements necessary to purchase a Habitat home, including financial/budgeting courses, homeownership mentoring and numerous hours of sweat equity working on Habitat projects. Sweat equity is the physical labor required to purchase a Habitat home and replaces the interest payment that comes with a typical mortgage. By not requiring interest, Habitat affiliates can keep mortgage payments low, providing an affordable option to those who can’t afford a traditional mortgage payment. The Habitat mission provides a hand up, not a hand out and enables families to find strength, stability and independence to build brighter futures.
The Helmke family has ties to various Fulton county communities; Kim was born in Wauseon, grew up and still lives in Archbold, and works in Delta as a customer service representative at The State Bank. The Helmkes are active members of Crossroads Evangelical Church, Wauseon and volunteer at a Napoleon-based charity that serves surrounding areas. Most recently, Kim helped with fundraisers for Sara’s Garden and was excited to help with the Wauseon Homecoming. This move will be bittersweet, as both Meagan and Tyson are Bluestreaks at heart but look forward to adding Wauseon-Red to their wardrobes. Meagan works as an RN at Fulton County Health Center and Tyson is in his 3rd year at University of Cincinnati.
Urged by a friend, Kim applied for the Habitat partnership because she felt it was time for a change. Having been blessed with a wonderful landlord in Archbold, this decision wasn’t easy, but Kim realized she needs to take responsibility for her own future and strive for independence and security. “The application process was stressful but I decided to give the situation to God to handle”, said Kim, “He knows what’s best and holds my future.”
Habitat’s Executive Director, Heidi Kern is thrilled to start this project, stating, “This will be Habitat’s 10th new construction in Wauseon, the last being in 2010. Habitat has been blessed with donors and volunteers who give of themselves to help others and I know this project, this family will have that same support. I’m excited to see Archbold, Wauseon and Delta work together to help someone who has, and will continue to contribute to all the communities that hold special places in her heart.” Kim adds, “What an amazing journey this has been so far! This means so much to us. I don’t want them to be just a donor or volunteer; I hope I get the opportunity to know each of them personally and thank them.”
If you are interested in helping Habitat build, there are many needs to fulfill – prayers, monetary donations, meals for the job site and volunteers for the project, which begins October 10th with our 1st Blitz Build – we plan to start decking and have the home fully enclosed in 6 days! A groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public on Sunday, September 25th at 4:00PM, 230 S. Shoop Avenue Wauseon (parking in Trinity Lutheran Church north lot).
Habitat is a local ministry, serving the needs of neighbors in our county. For more information, to volunteer or donate, contact our office at 419-335-7000, visit us on Facebook or at www.habitatfco.org. Thank you in advance from Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County and the Helmke family.
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