Volunteers, donations needed for Habitat Ogle County's new home in Rochelle

ROCHELLE – The build is on for a new Habitat for Humanity home.

Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County canceled its spring fundraiser because of COVID-19, which cost the nonprofit about $15,000 in donations, but construction for a new home for the Vega family of Rochelle still will begin this summer.

Felix and Tanya Vega and their five children, ages 8 to 18, will help build the new home at 122 S. Ninth St. in Rochelle, a lot donated by Tim Bruns 2 years ago.

“COVID-19 impacted us,” said. Vanessa White-Broome, the group's executive director. “We’re really trying to write additional grants to make up for it. We’re hoping for donations of funds and materials. We’re going to go on with it anyways and hope to get the family in by the end of the year. We need money for materials.”

Habitat also is looking for skilled and unskilled volunteers to help with the project.

The home will be the 13th Habitat has built in Ogle County. Excavation is lined up, as is custom concrete for the foundation. Building begins this month.

The house will have four bedrooms, one room larger than last year's Habitat home. That one cost $97,000, while this one will be about $95,000, less because no demolition is needed.

Habitat prides itself on its policy of "a hand up, not a hand-out.” Those who receive homes make mortgage payments to Habitat, and are counseled on how to pay for and maintain a home.

All seven of the Vegas have been living with a family member, White-Broome said.

“They need a home of their own.”

Go to https://www.habitat.org/us-il/oregon/hfh-ogle-county or find Habitat for Humanity Ogle County on Facebook to donate time, money or materials, or for more information.