The home at 4961 East Main street was just donated by Bill Baskin and Susan Blackburn in March of 2018.
According to Lauren Casey, CEO at Habitat for Humanity, it has been quite a few years since the property has seen any love. It was constructed in 1900.
Baskin and Blackburn donated the property in the hopes that they could provide a blessing for a family here.
The last occupant of the home, Jayson Dersham died unexpectedly and tragically lost his life in a one vehicle accident on Seward road in Alexander on February 12, 2017. Dersham worked for Baskin Farms.
“The Baskins wanted to bring joy out of the sadness that occurred here at this house,” says Casey.
“This is kind of close to home for them.”
So what better day to get a lot of the demo work done than on Women’s Build Day.
About 40 women volunteers showed up on Saturday morning and worked into the afternoon pulling down insulation, pulling nails and drywall and pulling out old landscaping.
According to Jaylene Smith-Kilner, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity, they anticipate the home will be completed by the end of the year and new family will move in early 2019.
In the next two weeks a family will be chosen to move into the house and begin working weekly on the project.
This is the 6th year that Habitat For Humanity has participated in the Women’s Build Day.
