For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Tiffany Halan’s grandmother took a “people helping people” approach 20 years ago when she asked her family to donate to the Marshfield Area Habitat for Humanity instead of buying her Christmas gifts.

Thanks to Halan, nominator and Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation director of operations, Marshfield Area Habitat for Humanity (MAHFH) will receive $1,000 from Security Health Plan’s monthly Employee-Driven Corporate Giving campaign.

MAHFH is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that partners with families in need, volunteer workers, and local business to build new homes, renovate existing homes, and complete critical housing repairs to ensure community members have decent, affordable places to live.

Habitat for Humanity partner families build or repair their homes alongside volunteers. Donations allow these families to pay an affordable, no-interest mortgage, empowering them with the pride of homeownership and allowing Habitat to invest in homes for other families. Ninety-seven percent of local Habitat donations fund programs that support the Marshfield, Stratford, Spencer, Hewitt, Arpin, and Pittsville communities.

“At Habitat we work to build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter,” said Halan. “Decent shelter means strong childhood development, a healthier (and less stressed) family environment, and the financial flexibility to invest in education and pursue opportunities.”

Halan emphasized the program is not a giveaway. Habitat partner families are invested in their homes. Families qualify based on their level of need, the adequacy of their present housing, their willingness to participate in the program’s required “sweat equity” component, and their ability to repay the home loan.

“A Habitat home is a strong foundation for a family, an opportunity on which they can build a better life. It’s no secret that strong and stable homes help build strong and stable communities,” she said.

Visit marshfieldhabitat.org to volunteer for a build or make a donation.