HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NEEDS HELP

Potter County Habitat for Humanity plans to start work on another home as early as June 1 on a donated parcel in the village of Roulette.

Next up for the volunteers in the local chapter will be construction of a second Habitat home in Galeton. However, despite the ambitious plans and the generosity of property donors, the organization is struggling due to a fall-off in volunteers.

Potter County Habitat has launched a membership drive that will culminate with an informal dinner gathering that's open to the public on Thursday night at the Hotel Crittenden in Coudersport.

Serving starts at 6:30. Those attending will learn more about Habitat and, if they're inclined, they can sign up to help. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Cost of Thursday's dinner is $5.00 and reservations are appreciated at 274-0739.

Habitat is also appealing to area churches and civic organizations to recruit volunteers. Help is needed for specialty skills, such as excavation, carpentry, masonry and plumbing, as well as more general responsibilities.

Finishing touches are being put on the most recent Habitat home, built on a hilltop lot at Fourth and Hill streets in Coudersport for Bryan and Theresa Welsh.

The Welshes have pitched in to help with the construction and will be volunteering for future Habitat homes. Their home is the local chapter's fourth. Others have been built on Bark Shanty Road, near Austin; in Galeton, and on Mill Street in Coudersport.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, nondenominational Christian housing organization with a charter to build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter.

Potter County's chapter meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 pm in the Potter County Education Council offices at North Main and Third streets.

Priority for home ownership is given to families living in substandard housing.

Also, to be eligible an applicant must be earning between 25 percent and 50 percent of the county's median income.

The chosen home owner must participate in the construction of the home or in other significant ways with the organization. In Potter County, families must work a minimum of 500 "sweat equity" hours.