House, Sweat, Home — Erie Insurance Breaks Ground on Habitat House

May 12, 2008 - Ken and Pat Lindenberger watched the golden shovel break ground on May 2 and smiled.

Their 9-year-old son Sean gripped the shiny handle and sank the shovel into the dirt. Sean stood alongside three local leaders who showed their symbolic support by breaking ground where a new house will be built for the Lindenberger family with help from the community and Erie Insurance.

Applauding their work at the event were community leaders, ERIE Employees and Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity volunteers. 

Dozens of volunteers will be needed at the construction site, 323 East 3rd St., in Erie, Pa., from 8 a.m. until noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of June, July, August and September. The house is expected to be completed in the fall.

The empty lot, which is located just a few blocks northeast of ERIE's Home Office, was donated by the Bayfront East Side Taskforce (BEST), a partnership between the city and local businesses, including ERIE, dedicated to improving the community’s east Bayfront neighborhood.

“We’re attempting to change lives by helping people obtain their own homes,” said Susan Robison, board president, Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity. “It’s wonderful to have a great company like ERIE supporting families in the community.”

Part of the community

Pat and Ken have never owned a home. They’re thankful for the support they’ve received. “I think it’s wonderful that ERIE isn’t just a big corporation,” Pat said. “They care about the community.”

“Erie Insurance volunteerism is a wonderful thing because we know the volunteers working with us won’t be pulled for another site,” Ken said. “There will be consistency. It shows dedication on the part of Erie Insurance.”

In order to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, a family must meet three requirements:

• First, they must meet the income guidelines and show that they will be able to pay a zero percent interest mortgage once the house is completed.
• Secondly, the family must show a willingness to partner. That means they must work 300 hours helping build their own home and the homes of other Habitat families. They also take homeowner’s classes and receive credit counseling.
• The third requirement is an assessment of housing need, which is conducted by a committee of volunteers.

The Lindenbergers have met the requirements and have completed more than 200 of their sweat-equity hours already. “Habitat is a helping hand – not a hand out,” Pat said. “It’s about earning your home.” 

“We’ve already worked on several houses along with the families who are going to live in those homes,” Ken said. “We’ve even made friends with some of these families. We have a bond.”

Nancy Milkowski, executive director, Habitat for Humanity, praised ERIE’s involvement. She said this is the third house ERIE will help build. “That really reflects the relationship ERIE has with the community,” Nancy said. “Having the support of a business where Employees and Agents come out and help really shows their commitment to the people here.”

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