The 100-Plus Women Who Care in Dickinson County gathering May 13 chose Habitat for Humanity to receive its 2019 second-quarter pot of funds, generated though $100 donations from individuals or groups who then get to decide who gets the money from among three presenting non-profits.

The $23,000 donation will go toward three projects that are part of about $50,000 in work Habitat for Humanity intends to accomplish over the next few weeks. Two new homes are currently in construction, and they are in the middle of a significant veterans project.

Operation Shingle Storm is an 11-day repair blitz for veteran homeowners. Weather permitting, they plan to repair seven homes with critical needs in the region within the next month.

Amanda Johnson of Iron Mountain is the homeowner of one of the new constructions happening this summer. A crew is hanging drywall at her home right now, and the project is expected to be finished by the end of summer. She is excited and grateful for her new home. “Habitat is my second family, “ she said.

WORKING ON A Stockbridge Street home in Iron Mountain as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Shingle Storm project are, from left, Thom Phillips, sustainable building specialist for Habitat for Humanity Michigan; Michael Kulas, local Habitat intern; and volunteer John Wilson on the ground. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

Nancy Pellegrini, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Menominee River, said although this is the second time Habitat has been tapped by 100-Plus Women for the donation, she has made her pitch to the group roughly a dozen times since getting the first award in 2015.

The key this time, she said, was “when I started talking about veterans and telling their stories — we have a veteran whose septic collapsed and has been living in a hotel that he can’t afford, a blind veteran in Crystal Falls that is using space heaters because his wall-mounted units are not properly mounted and his water heater is leaking carbon monoxide. The women were really listening to those stories,” she said.

Teresa Fortier of 100-Plus Women Who Care agreed that Pellegrini’s descriptions of the veterans’ needs helped give Habitat the edge.

“We had great nominations and awesome speakers, but the timing was right for this project. Fixing critical repairs to help veterans on Memorial Day week — it was a perfect choice,” she said.

The critical-need repairs and upgrades will include new water heaters, furnaces, siding and roofing.

“One thing we are looking for is noxious and dangerous gases,” Pellegrini said. “All of our repair families own and occupy their homes and meet our income qualifications. Our veterans represent most of the recent conflicts — WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, peace time, Desert Storm and Post-9/11,” she said.

A building specialist from Habitat Michigan and another from Habitat International came to Iron Mountain this week to volunteer, but Habitat volunteer Brent Ackly said they need more local individuals to step up.

“We have a core crew that works twice a week from 8 (a.m.) to 12 (p.m.), and that is when we get most of our work done. It would be nice if we did find a couple more people wanting to work,” Ackly said. “Since I started eight years ago, some volunteers have passed, some have retired, and it seems like we are losing more than we are gaining at this point. That puts a lot on the other guys that have to pick that slack up.”

Anyone who would like to participate in Operation Shingle Storm can contact the Habitat office at 906-779-5377. They still have volunteer openings on June 6, 7 and 8.

“If you are not comfortable using a hammer, you can help with snacks or lunches for the volunteer crews,” Pellegrini said.

For more information about 100-Plus Women or to join, email dc100women@gmail.com.