Habitat Lansing Receives Gift of Land

Today I had the honor of attending a ceremony where Habitat for Humanity Lansing received a wonderful and touching gift of land from the family of Chuck and June Rybnikar. Last year on this date, there was a fire that claimed the life of Chuck and June Rybnikar and their dog, Muffin. Chuck was a long-time volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Lansing and he worked not only on homes here in our area, but he worked on several Jimmy Carter Work Projects in the Philippines and elsewhere. As Chuck aged, he no longer worked on the construction of homes but handled recycling and saved us hundreds of dollars on each home built. He and his wife June were also faithful donors. Chuck and June's children and grandchildren, despite their loss and grief, decided to donate the land on which their parents' home once stood so that Habitat Lansing could allow Chuck and June to continue to give to others. This fall the Rybnikar Memorial House will be started and when finished it will be the home to a family that is currently residing in substandard housing in our community. Our hope is that the house dedication will take place on this date, May 12, in 2009.

Denise Paquette, Executive Director, Habitat Lansing , (far left), Rybnikar family members, Michelle Moore, President, Board of Directors, Habitat Lansing (far right).

A view of the property from the likely driveway location.

Closer view of the back of the property.

Closer look at the side with all the trees.

View of the property straight-on from the street.

This ceremony was very emotional since the family was giving us the property for the home they remembered as children and grandchildren. They spoke of the childhood events that occured on this property and they recounted memories of Chuck and June. They first intended to sell the property but when it did not sell after a few months one of the daughters said she was lead to think that the home should be donated to Habitat for Humanity Lansing because that is what Chuck and June would have wanted. One of the granddaughters mentioned that after the family decided to donate the property she suddenly noticed publicity about Habitat for Humanity everywhere. This confirmed that they had made the right decision.

Most of the staff from our affiliate and several board members were able to attend the ceremony. Today is one of those days when I am thankful to serve on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Lansing because I can truly see good work in action. Here is a link to the Habitat Lansing website: http://www.habitatlansing.org/

I did have time to stop at Daisy's to get together with my quilting friends in the Charm group. They had a great show and tell and I didn't bring my camera so.............just imagine a really wonderful star quilt made from all striped fabrics by Jan G. Also, an autumn colored quilt made by Melissa B.

Lisa and I walked around the Tollgate Drain park again and looked for the strange new bird, we think it might be a "green heron" (although its main color is blue and my bird book recognizes that it was misnamed.) Who names these birds anyway????? We didn't see the "green heron", but we did see the Great Blue Heron. He came flying out of the woods, perched on a branch and kept a close eye on us.