St. Mark Supports Habitat

While sitting in the sanctuary waiting for church to start, I thought, “most members have no idea how many St. Mark members live out their faith by volunteering for Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.” Habitat’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing for deserving low income families in the Rockford area.

If you happen to go shopping at ReStore (Habitat’s resale shop), 7141 Harrison Avenue, on a Monday morning, you might see several St. Mark faces. John Hargrove and Bob Osolin will wave at you as they drive the truck out of the parking lot to pick up a load of donated goods (example: tile, sinks, electrical fixtures) from our partner suppliers. Don Coffman will be around to help unload the truck when they get back. Chuck Schroeder is working in the Hardware department along with Karen Ganschow, and Dave and Gillian Collier. Don Daniels joins the Hardware crew on Thursdays.  Maureen Hargrove, Pat Coffman, and I will be in the Lighting department – cleaning donated fixtures and working on the displays. Mary Kay Schingoethe recently joined the Vintage department and has been putting her retail experience to good use.   Some of these volunteers also work other days of the week. 

There are six houses under construction at the build site in Emerson Estates located to the west of Auburn High School.  You might recognize the Foreman of the Community Build: Jeff Stovall. You might see John Buzzard helping the First Free team on their house.  Both men work Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday most weeks or as much as needed to complete the houses during build season.  Pastor Katrina recently participated in the Women’s Build Day. Other members have spent a day building with their employer or group. 

When the homes are completed and dedicated (both pastors have participated), new handmade quilts are presented to each family member by the St. Mark Sews and Sews which includes Nancy Eckburg, Nancy Leonard, Marsha Carlson, Sally Campbell, Chris Allen, and Sue Schroepfer.

Once a summer sixty-five sack lunches for the build team are prepared by St. Mark members.  Dick Crooks, Kelly Champion, and Jacey Nausner are the crew who have made the lunches for several years.  This year cookie bakers assisted them: Marcia Cook, Renee Fager, Jane Lundstrom, and Cassie Paulsen.  

Organizations like Habitat function well when there is good administration.  Pat Coffman and John Hargrove serve on the board of directors. Other members serve on committees throughout the year. It is amazing to see how many St. Mark members are involved with this very worthwhile effort to give a hand-up to those in need of safe housing. Disclaimer: We probably forgot someone and apologize for that omission.

If you would like to join these volunteers for Habitat, you can contact any of the people mentioned above or the Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Jessica at 815-636-4573.

Stella Schroeder