Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Temperatures topping out at 100 degrees didn’t seem to discourage the Dan Patch Coalition’s efforts to volunteer at Scott County’s first ever Habitat for Humanity build site in Savage.

City and county community members were involved with the project at every level from the point of land acquisition to volunteering with home construction.

“It’s a nice opportunity for the city to do whatever we can to provide affordable housing opportunities for those that might not otherwise have that opportunity,” said Barry Stock, Savage City Administrator. “We had a tremendous response to the call for volunteers. We couldn’t take all the people that wanted to be involved with this build project.”

Stock, along with Savage planning commissioner Greg Lind and city councilmember Jane Victory formed the Dan Patch Coalition to bring together individuals and organizations from the Savage area to help with the twin homes.

Victory also serves as a commissioner for the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Agency (HRA), the organization responsible for donating the land to Habitat. “We deeply value this partnership and look forward to other opportunities with the Scott County HRA in the future,” said Mike Nelson, project manager, site acquisition and development for TCHFH.

Tom Davich and Brian Snouffer are two high school students that saw a story about the coalition in the local community newspaper and signed up to volunteer. “I haven’t done much community service, and I decided that it was time to start,” said Davich. “It’s something every one should do. Every little bit helps.”

Several organizations have gotten involved with the Dan Patch Coalition either by volunteering on the home construction, or providing lunch. The groups include: Scott County, City of Savage, Bridgewood Church, Cardinal Realty, Dufferin Park Homeowner’s Association, Glendale Church, Mosiac Co., Nextel Partners, Savage Rotary, St. James Church, St. John’s Church, D. Fong’s Chinese Cuisine, Famous Dave’s, Culver’s, Carbone’s Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, Mom’s Club, Spectator’s Grill and Bar, Primrose Schools, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

“The Savage community has shown support for this build in every possible way. Community leaders, individual citizens, and local groups came together to provide construction volunteers, lunches, raise money, and welcome two new families into their community. Habitat is dedicated to transforming families, neighborhoods and communities one house at a time — and this project exemplifies what that means,” said Jill Kilibarda, Volunteer Services Manager for TCHFH.

Contributed by Sharon Rolenc