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Kathy Balog stands to become a first-time homeowner this Saturday. She will be receiving an updated home in South Range that was built by Habitat for Humanity on Sixth Street several years ago. Due to COVID-19, the Copper Country chapter was unable to put up a new structure thanks to a lack of volunteers. Publicity Coordinator Rene Johnson says that Balog still had to put in her 200 hours of sweat equity, required of anyone chosen to participate in the Habitat for Humanity program. She had to get creative in how to reach the required threshold.
Balog has a long history of nonprofit work, beginning with Americorps back in 2014. She has continued to be generous with her time and efforts since. Now Balog is the one being helped.
The ceremony Saturday will be intimate and without any food or other traditional signs of Habitat generosity. If you wish to support Balog, you are asked to buy gift cards to area restaurants and retailers. You can drop them off at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.
The full release is below.
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A dedication celebration for a new Habitat for Humanity homeowner, Kathy Balog, will take
place at 16 Sixth St., South Range, on Saturday, April 17th at 1 pm. The dedication will be held
outdoors with masks and social distancing.
The social distancing protocols of the pandemic has meant that Copper Country Habitat for
Humanity could not gather volunteers to build a house. Fortunately, in late 2019 CCHFH
bought a home back from a Habitat homeowner who moved out of the area, so a house was
available. Balog’s application for home ownership was accepted in early 2020 and she quickly
started to accumulate the required 200 hours of sweat equity by working on cosmetic updates
on the house.
Balog returned to the Copper Country in 2004 when she was working with AmeriCorps.
“AmeriCorps introduced me to various organizations throughout the Copper Country,” said
Balog. “For the past 16 years, I have been volunteering for many organizations, such as Little
Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Community Action Agency, E.B. Holman School, Dial Help and
Copper Country Humane Society. Volunteering brings joy to my life knowing I am making a
difference in the community.” As for what this home means for her, Balog said, “Being a first time homeowner will bring me comfort, happiness, and peace of mind knowing I will have a
permanent place to live, to call home.”
Because of COVID concerns, we will not be serving food. Instead, Copper Country Habitat for
Humanity is asking for contributions (money or gift cards) that Kathy can use to celebrate when
things are safer. If you would like to contribute, please drop off your contribution at the Habitat
office, located at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, or mail it to: CC Habitat for Humanity,
PO Box 231, Houghton, MI 49931.
