Habitat presents its 20th home to new homeowner - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

*Linda Verkamp, the most recent Habitat for Humanity of Dubois County homeowner, receives a few housewarming gifts from the board of directors at Saturday’s key ceremony.*

Linda Verkamp will move into her freshly built home on Birk Drive later this week. Thanks to her “sweat equity” and the efforts of volunteers and supporters of Habitat for Humanity of Dubos County, she and her cat, Sugar, have a new place to call home.

This is the 20th home the local affiliate of the national organization has built in Dubois County since forming in 1995.

Selected through an independent committee, partner families helped build their new homes by organizing volunteers and providing volunteer hours called sweat equity. Through their efforts, donations, and working with community partners, Habitat can construct homes more affordably and provide a zero-interest mortgage for partner families.

In Dubois County, Habitat works with Patoka Valley Career and Technical Cooperative to offer local building trades high school students the opportunity to build a home and make an impact.

Habitat for Humanity Construction managers Jeremy Foxen and Dan Harrison (right) presented Ms. Verkamp with the keys to her home during Saturday’s ceremony. In the background is Jim Meyer, Linda’s co-power of attorney and St. James Lutheran Church pastor Dan Landin.

Ms. Verkamp grew up in Holland, graduating from Holland High School in the Class of 1964, and most recently was living in an apartment.

She was especially appreciative of being in a space she could call her own, conveniently located in Jasper. “I’m just overwhelmed,” she said.

Glenna Hanselman (left) gave Ms. Verkamp a housewarming gift at Saturday’s ceremony. Hanselman’s mother, Nancy Wright, provided the property to Habitat for Humanity after her home was razed in a fire in 2023. In the background are Ms. Verkamp’s Holland Classmates, Roseann Scott, Judy Hubster and Diana Scales, who were in attendance to support their friend.

This was the first time Habitat Director Anthony Tarullo experienced a home build from start to finish–he was hired in June of 2023. “Today was the most enjoyable part of the whole process,” he said. “And I really enjoyed working with Linda and getting to know her while she completed her sweat equity hours.”

Since Ms. Verkamp’s mobility issues kept her from being more involved in the construction process, she spent much of her time working at the ReStore, the organization’s home improvement store. The store sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public below retail price.

He said the nonprofit will break ground on its 21st home in Huntingburg in August. You can learn more about the application process on the organization’s website here.