Bankers build sheds for Habitat homes

Lisa Partridge is proud of her little shed, and she doesnt know what she would do without it.

Partridge expects to move into her Habitat for Humanity house in the 700 block of East First Street around Christmas time. Outside a back corner of the house is the 6-foot by 8-foot shed one of four built during First State Bank and Trust Companys Shed Build project last year.

The project, in which bank employees and Habitat volunteers build utility sheds for Habitat homes, was such a success in its first year that it was repeated on Thursday, with four more sheds produced in the banks 1005 E. 23rd St. parking lot.

Partridge was there pitching in. She needs a few more sweat equity hours before moving into her new home, but she said it was appreciation for her own shed that brought her out to help on Thursday.

Thats where well put all the kids bikes, the lawn mower and Weedeater and gas all the stuff that you cant really keep in the house, Partridge said. I dont know what else we would have done with that stuff. Let everything get rusty? Thats what I was really worried about. I thought everything was going to sit outside and get rusty. Now its not. I couldnt imagine not having it, and it matches the house. It is nice.

The Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and volunteers are completing four houses.

Prior to First State Bank launching the Shed Build event last year, Habitat did not provide sheds with the houses.

When it comes to the homes its not a lot of extras and luxuries or that type of thing, so theres no garages, said Cindy Slykhuis, the banks vice president of marketing. But can you imagine if you had your own home and you want to mow the lawn and keep things nice, where would you keep a lawn mower and a rake?

Aside from providing labor for the project, the bank donated $2,500 toward building materials.

Whats nice for us is its a great way for us to get our employees involved in a project like this, Slykhuis said. Luckily weve got a large enough staff that we can send 10 or 12 people outside at a time to help.

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Bankers build sheds for Habitat homes