The Cancer Loan Closet received more than $16,000 from the 100-Plus Women Who Care group last August, but decided it was too late to do the project in the fall.

Nancy Pellegrini, director of Habitat for Humanity Menominee River, offered volunteers to do the work to help the cancer closet save money.

They replaced five windows, added foam insulation and installed the new siding. Soffits and fascia were also replaced. Trim around the windows inside the building still needs to be done.

The project on the building at 201 E. Breitung Ave. began May 6 and was supposed to take only three to four weeks. The core crew of longtime Habitat volunteers worked mainly on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

THE FINISHED EXTERIOR of the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet building on Breitung Avenue. Habitat volunteers replaced the siding, insulation and five windows on the building. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

But weather became a factor, volunteer Chuck Gibson said. “The rain held us up. It was always Mondays and Wednesdays. Otherwise it was good. The ladies always had coffee and donuts for us,” he said.

“They do a wonderful, wonderful job. They had to deal with rain, the road closure and all that kind of stuff. I just can’t say enough about how great it is to have that done,” said Sharon Reuter, cancer closet volunteer and board member.

‘We’re happy they were here to help us,” added Linda Clark, office manager and board member.

With a discount from Home Depot, materials cost about $8,600.

Green for Life provided a dumpster and Gary Jacobson of Jacobson Heating donated space for them to store materials. Louisiana-Pacific also made donations.

The roof was replaced two years ago, with the cancer closet purchasing the materials and Ryan Okler of Okler Roofing donating the labor.

They will seek quotes to install gutters in the future.

Cancer Closet President Diane Schabo said of Habitat at the start of the project, “We’re thankful that we get to work together.”

The cancer closet provides equipment and other items for cancer and non-cancer patients in Dickinson County and the surrounding Wisconsin communities of Florence, Spread Eagle, Aurora and Niagara. The loan closet helps several hundred new people a year and keeps a master list of people they serve.

They offer shower chairs, commodes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, wigs, Ensure drinks and just about everything else. Help is given to anyone with need, with no income restrictions.

They rely on donations, with 97% of the funding going to clients.