Update from Amy Gibbs, Executive Director... |
As we move through another busy season at Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity, I continue to be amazed by what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Every day, we see firsthand the impact that safe, affordable housing has on individuals, families, and our communities.
This year has been filled with exciting progress. We continue building new homes, completing critical home repairs, and expanding our reach throughout Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee Counties. Each project represents more than lumber and nails—it represents hope, stability, and a brighter future for the families we serve.
One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that our growth remains sustainable. As our programs continue to expand, we are strengthening our organization by investing in our staff, improving internal processes, and focusing on long-term planning. This work allows us to continue serving more families while remaining good stewards of the generous support we receive from our community.
I'm also incredibly grateful for our dedicated staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Your commitment to our mission makes every home built, every repair completed, and every family served possible. Together, we are creating lasting change.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing a "hand up, not a handout" by helping hardworking families achieve safe, affordable homeownership and helping homeowners remain safely in the homes they already love. Thank you for believing in our mission and for continuing to build hope alongside us. We couldn't do this without you. With gratitude, Amy Gibbs
Executive Director
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Meet Mike Tower! We're excited to introduce Mike Tower, Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity's Home Repair Coordinator!
Mike brings a lifetime of experience, a passion for helping others, and deep roots in our community to this important role. Having lived in Osceola County for most of his life, he understands firsthand the importance of safe, affordable housing and the impact it has on families.
In addition to his commitment to Habitat, Mike has proudly served as a volunteer firefighter for nearly 20 years, demonstrating his dedication to serving others both on and off the job.
As our Home Repair Coordinator, Mike works with homeowners to complete critical repairs that help them live safely and independently. From replacing roofs and repairing accessibility issues to addressing urgent health and safety concerns, Mike is helping make a lasting difference—one home at a time. We're grateful to have Mike on the Habitat team as we continue expanding our home repair programs throughout Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee Counties. Please join us in giving Mike a warm welcome! Favorite hobby: Hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with family and friends Favorite food: Breakfast food, or BBQ
Favorite quote: Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.- Henery David Thoreau One thing people may not know about me: I love getting lost in history. I am fascinated by family history, world history, and historic fiction and non-fictional tv shows and movies. |
|
|
|
Meet Allie Gottschall! She is currently attending Calvin University to study social work and psychology, and working at Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity this summer as an office assistant.
A few words from Allie! "A few fun facts about me: I’m a twin, and I love cats! I enjoy playing volleyball and dancing. My favorite bible verse is Ecclesiastes 2:11 because it reminds me that no matter what I do, if it’s not done for God’s glory, it means nothing." |
|
|
|
You could help make the next Habitat homebuyer's dream come true, by signing up for this elite club! You can choose to donate as little as $12.50 a month or a one time donation of $150 (or more). |
Update from Flora Grundy, Fund Developement Director... |
Every Gift Builds Hope At Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity, we often talk about building homes—but what we're really building is hope.
Hope takes many forms, and so does generosity. Whether you choose to volunteer your time, make a financial contribution, donate land or property, or leave a legacy through planned giving, your support creates opportunities that change lives for generations.
Every gift, no matter its size or form, does so much more than help construct a house. It restores dignity to families working toward homeownership. It creates independence for neighbors who need a safe, stable place to call home. And sometimes, it provides something as simple—but as life-changing—as an accessibility ramp, allowing someone to safely enter and leave their home with confidence once again.
Your generosity helps make these moments possible every day across Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee counties. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us build stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger community. Together, we're not just building homes—we're building hope. Flora A. Grundy
Fund Development Director
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
We are excited to welcome Kari Comstock back to the Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors! Kari has long been a dedicated advocate for our community, and we are honored to have her leadership, passion, and commitment helping guide our mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe and affordable housing.
Please join us in congratulating Kari on being named the 2026 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce! This well-deserved recognition reflects her tireless service, leadership, and positive impact throughout our community.
When asked why she continues to serve Habitat, Kari shared:
"I share my time and talent with Habitat because I believe everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Volunteering on the job site and serving as a board member allows me to make a difference in the lives of families while strengthening our community. Habitat has given me so much in return, I have built lasting friendships, learned new skills, and experienced the true joy of helping people who simply need a hand up. Knowing that my efforts contribute to building not just houses, but brighter futures, is what keeps me coming back."
We are incredibly grateful for leaders like Kari whose passion and service help make our mission possible. Congratulations again on this well-deserved honor, and welcome back to the Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors! |
|
|
|
Did you know that a land donation can help build brighter futures for local families?
At Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity, land donations play a vital role in making homeownership possible. Your unused property could become the site of a safe and affordable home, offering a fresh start for a family in need. Plus, land donations may offer valuable tax benefits for you or your estate.
Leave a lasting legacy in our community. To learn more about how you can turn land into hope, visit our website or contact us directly. We are specifically in need of land in the Osceola and Missaukee Counties. Together, we’re building more than homes; we’re building futures. |
|
|
|
At Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity, we believe everyone deserves a safe, healthy place to call home.
This month, we're proud to spotlight Kathy Hannum and Russ Bogart, homeowners whose lives have been positively impacted through both our Partner Family Home and Repair Programs.
Every repair we complete is about more than fixing a house—it's about preserving independence, improving safety, and giving homeowners peace of mind. Whether it's addressing critical repairs, improving accessibility, or making a home safer and more secure, these projects help families remain in the homes and communities they love.
We are honored to partner with Kathy and Russ and grateful for the opportunity to help ensure their home will continue to provide comfort and stability for years to come. A heartfelt thank you to our donors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who make projects like this possible. Because of you, we are building strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe and affordable housing across Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee Counties. Congratulations, Kathy and Russ! Thank you for allowing Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity to be a part of your homeownership journey. |
|
|
|
Update from Ben Banks, ReStore Manager... |
Summer is here, and the Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the perfect place to shop for your home projects, renovations, and everyday needs!
We are open six days a week—Monday through Saturday—and we’re always receiving new donations and inventory. Before you head out to purchase new items, be sure to shop the ReStore first and save while supporting a great cause!
Our inventory changes daily, offering a wide variety of items including, furniture for every room in your home, appliances, home improvement and renovation supplies, paint, carpet squares, and much more! Whether you’re updating a space, tackling a DIY project, or searching for a unique find, you never know what treasures you may discover at the ReStore.
We also want to remind our service members and senior shoppers that every Thursday, receive 15% off their purchase! Every purchase at the ReStore helps support Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe and affordable housing in our community. Stop in, shop local, save money, and help build a better future!
Ben Banks
ReStore Manager
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Update from Evan Stieg, Construction Manager... |
Construction season is in full swing, and our team has been making great progress across several projects! Mark Lane Homes and the Manton Home
We're excited to share that hydro-seeding has been completed at all three homes, giving the yards a fresh start. The driveways have also been installed at both Mark Lane homes, bringing these projects one step closer to completion. Next on the list is installing storage sheds for the homeowners. Mark Lane – New Home Build
Work continues to move forward on our newest build on Mark Lane. The crawlspace foundation is complete, and we're looking forward to welcoming volunteers this Friday to help frame the floor system and install the subfloor, and again Tuesday for the construction and install of the walls. We are grateful for the many volunteers who continue to make these homes possible. Walnut Street – Home Remodel The transformation at Walnut Street is coming together beautifully! We recently installed the new flooring and interior doors, and the walls and doors received a fresh coat of paint last week. We've also replaced several windows, completed the siding, and have begun installing the finish trim. Countertops and appliances are scheduled to arrive later this week, bringing us even closer to the finish line.
Thank you to our volunteers, donors, subcontractors, and community partners who help make each of these projects possible. Every home we build or renovate creates new opportunities for families and strengthens our community, one house at a time. Evan Stieg
Construction Manager
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Update from Allie Gottschall, Administrative Assistant... |
Things have been busy in the office, and it's been a great opportunity to get caught up on several important projects while continuing to learn and grow in my role!
One of our biggest accomplishments recently was closing out our fiscal year. That meant organizing files, transitioning records, and preparing everything for the new year ahead. It's always a busy time, but it feels great to have everything updated and ready to go.
We're also beginning preparations for one of our favorite events of the year—Festival of Dreams! Planning is officially underway, and we're excited to share more details in the coming months. Be sure to keep an eye out for announcements about sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and ways you can get involved.
Day to day, I've been helping keep the office running smoothly by tackling administrative tasks and supporting Amy, Flora, Mike, and Ben whenever needed. Every day brings something new, and I'm truly enjoying getting to know our staff, volunteers, supporters, and community partners. I'm grateful to be part of the Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity team and look forward to all that's ahead! Allie Gottschall
Administrative Assistant
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Update from the Volunteer Coordinator… |
Volunteers Make the Difference Every day at Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity, we are reminded that our mission isn't possible without the incredible people who give their time and talents to serve others.
Whether you're swinging a hammer on a build site, helping a homeowner with a repair project, greeting customers at the ReStore, serving on a committee, or lending a hand at one of our events, you are making a lasting impact. Every hour you volunteer helps us stretch our resources further and serve more families throughout Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee counties.
One of the best parts of volunteering with Habitat is that you don't need construction experience—just a willingness to help. We provide the guidance, tools, and encouragement you need to make a difference while building friendships and strengthening our community.
As we continue to grow, so does our need for dedicated volunteers. If you've been thinking about getting involved, there's never been a better time. Whether you can give a few hours each month or volunteer regularly, your time truly changes lives. Thank you to every volunteer who has chosen to serve alongside us. You are the heart of Habitat, and because of you, families have the opportunity to build brighter futures.
Flora Grundy
Volunteer Coordinator
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Update from Mike Tower, Home Repair Coordinator… |
I'm excited to step into the role of Home Repair Coordinator at Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity! Jumping right into our ongoing projects has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It's been a great opportunity to meet homeowners, volunteers, and community partners while seeing firsthand the impact our Home Repair Program has throughout Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee Counties.
We currently have a great deal of momentum, with several repair projects nearing completion, many in the middle stages of construction, and a few new projects just getting underway. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community supporters as we continue making a tangible difference by helping homeowners live in safe, healthy, and accessible homes.
To ensure we can give our current projects the attention they deserve and as we approach the end of our current funding cycle, we are not accepting new Home Repair Program applications at this time. We anticipate reopening the application process later this year as additional funding becomes available. Please continue to check our website and follow us on social media for updates on when applications will officially reopen. Thank you for your continued support of our Home Repair Program. Together, we are helping neighbors remain safely in the homes they love while building stronger communities. Mike Tower
Home Repair Coordinator
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
|
Discover the Magic of Fab Rehab!
At Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, we believe in giving furniture a second chance to shine! Our Fab Rehab program transforms gently used pieces into beautifully reimagined, one-of-a-kind treasures. Whether it’s a dresser with a bold new color or a table with a trendy farmhouse twist, each piece is refreshed with care and creativity by our talented team of staff and volunteers.
By shopping Fab Rehab, you’re not only taking home something unique—you’re supporting Habitat’s mission of building affordable housing in our community. It’s a win-win for your home and your heart! Stop in and see what’s newly restored—you never know what fabulous find is waiting for you! |
|
| |
|
Be Part of the Fab Rehab Magic!
Love getting creative with furniture? Sign up to rehab a piece to sell at the ReStore—right from the comfort of your home or in our new Fab Rehab Workshop! Whether you're an experienced DIYer or just want to try your hand at upcycling, this is your chance to put your skills to work for a great cause. Here's how it works:
✔️ Choose a piece from our inventory
✔️ Rehab it at home or use our on-site workspace
✔️ Return it to be sold in the ReStore—with proceeds supporting affordable housing in our community! It’s a fun, hands-on way to make a difference—and every brushstroke helps build hope. Ready to rehab? Click the button below or stop by the ReStore to sign up today! |
|
|
|
Support our mission to build homes, communities, and hope. Click the button to donate and make a lasting impact right here at home! |
|
| |
|
Our Contact Information Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity 7545 E 34 Rd. Cadillac, MI 49601 Office: 231-775-7561 ext 101 Restore: 231-775-7561 ext 112 |
|
| |
|
You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber.
If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe,
click *{{Unsubscribe}}* |
|
|
|
|
