Sisters Habitat wins $20,000 grant

The Ford Family Foundation, based in Roseburg, has awarded a $20,000 challenge grant to Sisters Habitat for Humanity for the purpose of building a home with a selected Habitat family.

The grant represents roughly half the cost of materials necessary to build a Habitat home in Sisters. Sisters Habitat must raise a matching $20,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from individuals, churches, businesses and service groups throughout the Sisters area by February 1, 2000.

"Receiving such a sizable grant is truly a blessing," said Betsey Williams, president of Sisters Habitat. "This represents a tremendous op-portunity for people to become involved. Every dollar contributed will be matched by the Ford Family Foun-dation up to a total of $20,000."

Habitat for Humanity International and the Ford Family Foundation have established a three-year partnership aimed at building decent, affordable homes with families in rural Oregon communities.

"The self-help approach that Habitat provides to families in need of decent, affordable shelter is well aligned with our mission," said Norm Smith, President of the Ford Family Foundation.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity has completed 12 homes. The Ford Foundation grant along with matching funds will help fund the construction of house number 13. For more information call 549-1193, or stop by the Habitat office at 141 W. Main Avenue.