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Volunteers Key to Habitat House Build on Wheeling Island

Construction of a new house on Wheeling Island, under the auspices of the Wheeling Area Habitat for Humanity and House of the Carpenter, is being aided by a growing number of Upper Ohio Valley businesses and individual volunteers.

Brenda Steiniger, executive director for the Wheeling Habitat affiliate, said, “We have been very gratified by the assistance being offered by dozens of people and firms.

The Poole family, which will be moving into the home, also has been extremely thankful.” The partner family for this construction project consists of Michelle Poole of Wheeling and her three school-age daughters.

The Wheeling Habitat board of directors announced the project late last year. “Our most pressing goal is to get the house under roof well before bad weather kicks in,” according to Bob DeFrancis, board president, “despite the very wet conditions that were a challenge this summer.” DeFrancis said those wishing to lend a hand can contact Steiniger by email at bstein3@comcast.net or by phone at 304-233-0887.

“Those helping come from all walks of life and disciplines but are linked by their desire to do good by volunteering time, talent and/or treasure,” Dino Giovannone, board vice president, said.

For example, he cited two disparate but equally appreciated examples of voluntarism, the Habitat Club at Wheeling Park High School and K Design LLC, a St. Clairsville firm.

The Habitat Club at WPHS last spring conducted several fund-raising activities at the school and raised some $1,300 while doing so. Club advisor Jody Werner said the organization is gearing up to continue helping as the new school year begins.

Karri Thomas, owner and interior design consultant at K Design, joined the Design Studio, started in 1986 by Christine Hudson, in 2013 and made the decision to purchase it in January of 2015. As the founder of K Design, Thomas participates in each of K Design’s projects and is always available to every client. As a design entrepreneur, she enjoys making her clients’ dreams come true within their space. She has worked on both commercial and residential properties.

“I believe every space I design should be a reflection of my client. I always focus on what the client wants and I do not follow design trends. I am here to bring my client’s dream into a visual reality,” Thomas said, and that is exactly what she wants to do for the Poole family. “I am so excited to be involved with Habitat for Humanity and to be a part of the process in helping the Poole family’s dream come true.

It is so important for me to give back to my community. I cannot wait to see the end result and the smiles it will bring. It’s going to be an amazing moment,” she said.

Other businesses and individuals who have donated to the Poole home include Tom Vapner Roofing and Allen Baker of A.D. Baker Homes, providing dump trucks and dirt removal; Laroche Tree Service, which helped remove trees; Jay Kupsky, who poured the footer and installed the rebar; Aaron Foster, A/D Septic and Utility Services, LLC, which donated equipment and labor for excavation, and Woody Knollinger of Middle Creek Garage who provided sites to dump the dirt.

Also donating were ABC Supply which has provided drivers for the dump trucks as well as storage for materials; Graybar Electric Supply which donated electrical material for the build; Bridgeport Equipment and Tool which helped with rental equipment used at the site; Mike Siebieda of Arrowsmith Fabrication; Clyde Morelli of Morelli Brothers Block; Ernie Dellatorre and Mike Price of McKinley and Associates; Kathleen McDermott of McKinley Carter Wealth Services; Melanie Thoburn and Mary Cox of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration.

Habitat board of directors members who are working directly with the construction project are Giovannone, Paul Zogg, Shawn Snodgrass, Brian Pagel and architect Adam Mull who provided the custom design for the home. Mull pointed out Wheeling Habitat received much assistance in the early stages of the construction from Stegman & Schellhase, surveying, from attorney John Gompers and by Morgan Coast for donated structural design.

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