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I wanted to take a moment and mention a few things about my experience with the people of Remer. A few months ago, I made a desperate call to Pastor Bruce from the Congregational Church. I was faced with the difficult task to create awareness within the community about the Habitat for Humanity home we were about to begin just outside of town for a hardworking young couple and find a way to raise $50,000 more dollars. In a small town of only 380 people, I had my work cut out for me.

A meeting was scheduled, and upon arriving to that meeting in early September, I presented to a small group in the basement of the Congregational Church. From that meeting, I was invited, on that same day, by Pastor Dale, to attend their board meeting at Bethany Lutheran Church. What happened after that can only be described as God in action.

I was contacted soon after by Walt Scollard, President of the Northland Lions Club, to attend one of their meetings the following week and from that moment on, the seed that had been planted the week before started to grow. Something happened in Remer that I have never really truly been privilege to witness before and can only be described with one word: Community. A Community of people who see the good in others; a community of people who want to give those in need a "hand up", not a "hand out"; a Community of people who come together to raise walls; but last night, November 11, at Deer Haven, I saw a community come together like no other. It seemed as though the entire town showed up to rally around Lyndsay and Eric with the hopes of standing behind Habitat for Humanity to continue to invite others the same opportunity. There were over 65 people in attendance to the First Annual Remer Fundraising Dinner. After a delicious dinner, the Lakes Area Habitat Executive Director, Kevin Pelkey began the evening talking about the journey with Lyndsay and Eric. He invited them up to speak, and by the time they were done speaking, many tears were shed. Their story was inspiring and heartfelt. As they spoke, I couldn't help but admire their courage. Their courage for taking the step to ask for help, their courage to stand in front of their community members with gratitude and thanks, and their courage to begin the dream of home ownership.

When the evening came to an end following a very dynamic Live Auction given by Walt Scollard himself, another $10,000 had been raised and Remer became a family. This has been an amazing journey with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity and Lindsay and Eric. We are in the home stretch and could not have done this without all of our volunteers, our donors, and especially, the Northland Lions Club. Lyndsay and Eric's home could be finished within four more weeks but we still need volunteers. Please call Julie at 218-828-8517 if you can help volunteer or bring food to the work site. If you are only available on Saturdays and can get a group of ten or more people together we can work on a Saturday as well! Just call us and let us know! Together, we can provide more affordable housing in Remer.[[In-content Ad]]

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