By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For 25 years, Habitat for Humanity has been building homes in Wood County. But until now, none was constructed in Bowling Green.
On Monday, shovels were dug into the ground at the first of three Habitat homes to be built in Bowling Green, near the corner of Manville and Clough streets.
Mark Ohashi, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Wood County, said he once asked his predecessor, Maxine Miller, about her motivation for building the first home in Bloomdale.
Miller said, “I just feel that everyone deserves a decent house to raise their family.”
“It was that simple,” Ohashi said.
Many take housing for granted, but those who live in inadequate homes or who can’t afford decent housing know how important a good home can be.
“We’ve been able to make an incredible impact on 39 families in Wood County,” Ohashi said. “We’ve built all around Wood County, but never in Bowling Green.”
Marlene Lerch, whose family was chosen for the new Habitat home, is not taking the home for granted.
Marlene Lerch talks about being first Habitat for Humanity homeowner in Bowling Green.
“I’ve been praying for a house for years,” said Lerch, who has lived in a manufactured home for about 10 years. “This will be a safe place for my family. This is all a new beginning.”
Lerch, who is a home-based coach with WSOS Head Start, said she is looking forward to putting her “sweat equity” into the home construction.
“I’m ready,” she said.
Her three children are also ready for the move.
“I’m looking forward to getting out of a trailer and getting an actual house,” said Eric Lerch, 11, who will start at Bowling Green Middle School in a couple weeks.
“I actually get a new bedroom,” which he plans to paint red and silver, Eric said.
His older sister, Audrey, who will be a senior at Bowling Green High School, has plans to paint her bedroom light gray.
“Just being able to have it be our own. With this opportunity it’s going to be amazing,” Audrey said.
Their mom said the family has gone through a lot in the last few years.
“I never thought in a million years that I’d get a new house built for me,” Lerch said.
As she thanked those at the groundbreaking, Lerch expressed her appreciation.
“I have a grateful heart to all of you who have made this possible,” she said. “This means the world to our family.”
Many of those people responsible were in the audience – like Brian O’Connell, director of the city’s public utilities, who decided the city no longer needed the property where an old water tower stood, and that it should be given to Habitat for Humanity.
“It feels real good,” O’Connell said as he watched the groundbreaking.
Bowling Green City Council President Mike Aspacher talked about city’s unanimous decision to give the property to Habitat.
“So clearly the city is supportive of this project and the benefits it will bring to our community,” Aspacher said.
Ohashi recalled the offer from the city.
“Initially I thought it was too good to be true,” he said.
Then there are the community organizations, like the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Aktion Club, BGSU Greek Life, and “friends of Habitat” Tom and Dianne Klein. The actual construction of the homes will be a partnership between volunteers, BGSU and corporate partners.
“The university is very excited about this unique partnership,” said Sue Houston, vice president for partnerships and chief of staff at BGSU.
“We are expecting more than 800 people” to donate annually to the Habitat homes, she said. “We are committed to increasing partnerships to improve out community. We are excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
Construction on the first Bowling Green home will begin after Labor Day weekend. Habitat hopes to have the three homes completed in three years.
