Dear Editor,

On behalf of myself and Kyle Weideman we would like to thank the area businesses that sponsored teams in our Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy project the Put the Hammer Down Dodgeball Tournament held Wednesday, Dec. 10 supporting Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County.

These businesses include: Chore Time Brock, Colbin Tool, Hoosier Horse Trailer, Maple Leaf Farms, Millenium Construction, The Papers Inc, Torrent Engineering and Equipment/Duncan Machine, Pro Wake Watersports, Purina Animal Nutrition, Valley Springs Fellowship and Wawasee High School.

We would also like to thank Boy Scout troop 726, Pam Schumm and Wawasee Middle School for the use of their facility.

Both Weideman and I have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and believe in their mission to build simple, decent homes for those in need of housing willing to partner with Habitat through sweat equity and zero interest mortgages. Habitat makes homeowners out of those who may never have an opportunity to own a home, changing lives and building communities in the process.

While volunteering we were able to meet the future homeowners of the house now being built in North Webster. They are parents of five current and future Wawasee Warriors and we wanted to get the Wawasee Community to rally around them and thought this tournament would be a great way to do that.

We set a goal to raise $2,000 to help build their home, and with the help of our sponsors and those who attended the tournament we were able to exceed our goal.

The enthusiasm shown by the teams and fans made for an enjoyable evening, but the true winner Wednesday night was Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County and the families they serve which impacts our entire community.

Donations are continuing to come in, and if you would like to help us support the Habitat North Webster build send your donations to Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, P.O. Box 1913, Warsaw, IN 46580.

Sincerely,
Owen Donahoe