Today, with great help from the Whitefish Rotary Club, we made great progress on the deck and began siding all sides of the house.

SPECIAL NOTE: We will not be building over Labor Day weekend. We will begin drywalling and continue siding next Wednesday, September 8.

We had great volunteer turnout last week. As a result, we completed the roof over the porch, wrapped the house, installed windows, and we are nearly finished staining and framing the deck.

On the inside of the house the HVAC and plumbing are nearly complete. Electrical work will begin early this week.

Last Saturday we completed the roofing and continued to work on the deck.

This Wednesday, with the help of our fantistic crew of regular volunteers, we roofed most of the house and garage, and finished the remaining interior basement walls.

Last weekend the newly selected Ratchye family--Jeff, Melinda, Ellura and Tavian-- visited their future home. The family is excited for their new home and beginning their partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Jeff has already begun to accumulate sweat equity hours by building with us last Saturday and Sunday.

To read more about the Ratchye family, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/articles/2010/08/19/whitefishpilot/news/news_8717846455_03.txt

Last Sunday we were fortunate enough to be a build stop on the 2010 Northern US Bike & Build route. With the help of 31 energetic volunteers we were able to complete many small tasks that needed to be completed before this weeks inspection.

 In addition we built several more basement walls and began constructing the deck on the front and west side of the house.

Bike & Build is non-profit organization that raises funds for affordable housing projects across the United States through service-oriented, cross country cycling trips. This, while empowering young adults for a lifetime of service and civic engagement.

 Over seven seasons, Bike & Build has contributed $2,305,345 to housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by young adults; this includes $662,200 donated from the summer of 2009 (more than $163,000 more than 2008).

This summer our Whitefish Habitat for Humanity home is a stop on the 2010 Bike & Build Northern U.S. route.

More information can be found at the Bike & Build website.

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/

With much help from a dozen Whitefish Walkers in addition to our Wednesday regulars we are nearly finished sheeting the roof.

We also built several basement walls and braces for the roof trusses.

Last Friday was a landmark day for construction. With the help of some of our most generous donors, known as The Builder's Circle, we were able to install all of the main trusses on the house and garage. In addition, we finished sheeting the exterior of the house.

Construction and framing is progressing rapidly. Last Saturday Northridge Luthern Church helped us complete all of the exterior walls on the first floor, begin sheeting the outside of the house, and finish several basement walls.

We have had great turnouts on our Wednesday builds from a small group of dedicated individuals. Yesterday we completed the interior walls on the first floor and framed the garage.

We are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested please call the office 257-8800.