Habitat for Humanity Honors Community Partners, Elects New Officers

Local Affiliate Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2008

Kalamazoo, Mich.—Eight volunteers and one community organization were honored Friday at the Annual Meeting of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (KVHH) board of directors. The board recognized eight community volunteers for outstanding contributions: Allen Gillett (posthumously) for service at the Habitat ReStore, Lynn Alberding for the family selection program, Kattie Johnson for the family partnership program, Gail Galbreath for administrative support, and Dave Wohlfert for construction. Chuck Yager was honored as the all around volunteer for service in many key program areas. MRC Industries was honored as outstanding community partner.

Shaun Patrick Willis, attorney, Willis Law, is the new president of the KVHH Board of Directors. Sandra “Sam” Lealofi, Goodwill Industries, is first vice president, Nancy Trimble Kern, community volunteer, second vice president, Tammy Barnard, Edison Neighborhood Association, secretary, and Carol LaLonde, Plante & Moran, PLLC, treasurer.

Eight new directors were elected: Lori Baker, Habitat homeowner, Joshua Bush, National City Bank, Susan Chrisman, BDO Seidman, Maridel Greer, National City Bank, Carol LaLonde, Plante & Moran, PLLC, Heather McAnaw, Jansen Valk Thompson & Reahm, Mike Oliphant, Yeo & Yeo, and Scott Pierangeli, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office.

Continuing directors are: Jessica Jones, Habitat homeowner, Chuck Yager, community volunteer, Richard Rosenberger, Cornerstone Construction, Michael Dunn, architect, Glas Associates, Stanley Steppes, Jeffrey L. Davis & Associates, Teresa Valdez, Habitat homeowner, Tom Gauntlett, Sledrunner Financial Group, Sherry Oliver, Consumers Energy, Warren Fritz, librarian, Wes Gibson, community volunteer, and Matt Maire, Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors.

Outgoing directors Redice Hudson and Brett Kerstetter were honored for six years of service on the Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity board of directors. Each served as board president during their tenure.

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (KVHH) celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008. KVHH has helped nearly 160 families build and buy affordable homes since it was founded in 1983. KVHH is one of more than 1,700 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. There are Habitat affiliates in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and90 other countries.

There are 79 Habitat affiliates in Michigan, including chapters in Battle Creek, Paw Paw, Three Rivers, and Grand Rapids. For more information about how you can help build or buy a Habitat home, contact the KVHH office at (269) 344-2443 or visit the KVHH website: www.habitatkalamazoo.org.