Habitat for Humanity announced today it has completed a new home build in Sidney, Ohio, sponsored by Clopay Corporation, North America’s largest residential and commercial garage door manufacturer with facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Clopay committed $125,000 to the build and it is the second home that Clopay has sponsored in Sidney since 2020.
Construction on the house began in November of 2022. Today, a dedication ceremony was held as local Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Bill Horstman and Clopay Corporation President Victor Weldon handed over the keys to the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home to new owner Bridget Lawson and her family.
On hand at the dedication ceremony were Weldon, Horstman, Sidney Mayor Mardie Milligan and Construction Partner Jim Horstman. Lawson is a long-time Sidney resident with four children. She has never been a homeowner before and is excited to move into her finished home. She has completed the 400 hours of sweat equity required for eligibility and will be responsible for paying the 20-year, no-interest mortgage.
“Habitat does amazing work, and this project was a natural fit for us as a building products company. We can give back not only financially, but by donating our products as well,” said Weldon. “At Clopay, we are grateful for the support that our local communities have provided us over the years. We are honored to give back to the communities that support us and are excited to once again partner with Habitat for Humanity who provides so many great services and support to local residents.”
Clopay worked with Bridget and the Habitat team to help her select the doors that would bring the most curb appeal, safety and security to her new home and to complement the house’s stone and siding exterior accents. She chose a striking black Canyon Ridge 4-Layer garage door with Intellicore insulation for smooth and quiet operation, improved energy efficiency and comfort inside the garage and home.
They then paired the garage door with a complementing black fir grain Clopay entry door.
To qualify to become a homeowner with Habitat, Lawson played a hands-on role in the homeownership process, beginning with contributed sweat equity hours where she and her family worked alongside volunteers to help build their home and at the local Habitat ReStore. She was also required to complete numerous education classes in courses ranging from budgeting to home maintenance and landscaping. Lawson’s kids even earned hours of sweat equity for every “A” they earned in school.
“We are so proud of Bridget and her family and how hard they have worked,” Weldon added. “The skills they have all gained through sweat equity activities with Habitat will help set all of them up for long-term success.”
“The first time I applied for a Habitat home, I wasn’t chosen, but I was not going to give up,” said Lawson. “I worked hard to get my resources in order and the second time I applied, I was accepted! So many people in the community…from friends and family to people we just met…came together to make our home a reality. With the support and guidance of Habitat, we have built a beautiful and safe place for us to enjoy and thrive.”
“We are excited that Clopay and the Sidney community came together again to make this build a reality,” said William Horstman, executive director at Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, Ohio. “Clopay is the largest employer in our community and by supporting us financially and with product donations, they are setting a great example of an engaged corporate neighbor.”
People from Miami and Shelby County and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Habitat makes homeownership affordable by offering mortgage loans with flexible terms and zero-interest or zero-equivalent, to low-to-moderate-income (LMI) families. Monthly payments are recycled back into the affiliate, which help support the long-term sustainability of Habitat’s programs.
Miami & Shelby County residents should direct inquiries to HFHMSCO’s office in Troy, OH. Contact information can be found on the website: www.hfhmco.org.