PGA Tour Wives Association lends helping hand
Wearing red 84 Lumber hardhats and swinging hammers, members of the PGA Tour Wives Association and Nemacolin Ladies League went to work in Uniontown this week as they helped to build a house for Habitat for Humanity. “Various tournaments set up different charity events and I like to participate in as many as I can,’ said Heather Crane, of Dallas, wife of player Ben Crane. “This is hands-on. A lot of times we observe or take a tour, but we want to be involved.
“We all feel very blessed,’ she continued, “so if we can do anything to give back, we enjoy it.’
The women arrived by shuttle from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa late Tuesday morning, taking time away from the 84 Lumber Classic in Farmington to participate in the build. It’s one of three houses planned by Habitat for Humanity of Fayette County on Faith Drive, which is located off Gallatin Avenue.
Local officials and regular volunteers – several of whom were on site Tuesday to help – had prepared the house so when the women arrived they would be able to put up the outside walls, add insulation and cut out the door and windows. Some of the women hammered roofer’s felt paper onto the roof, which had been previously constructed and was lying nearby.
Once the walls were up, a huge crane that had been brought in especially for this event raised the roof and placed it on the house. The volunteers and local officials offered loud cheers of excitement as the house was put under roof just before 1 p.m.
The day was meaningful for everyone involved.
PGA Tour player Jerry Kelly of Madison, Wisc., who is honorary chairman for Habitat for Humanity in Madison, worked alongside the women.
“I like meeting the families. You can really put your heart into building them a house. This is a fantastic organization,’ said Kelley.
The Nemacolin Ladies League, a non-profit organization composed of spouses and female associates who work at Nemacolin Woodlands, has been helping the Fayette affiliate of Habitat for Humanity for several months now. They started working at Faith Drive on a house for Sherry Williams of Uniontown, who is a long-term substitute teacher for the Albert Gallatin School District, where she teaches literature to high school students. Officials expect the Williams house to be completed later this year.
Christine Schreiner, league president, said, “It’s exciting because we’ve had a chance to see Sherry’s house come together for her and it’s so nice to see so many PGA wives come together today.’
Williams was at the build Tuesday, saying of the involvement of 84 Lumber, the PGA Tour Wives and Nemacolin Ladies League, “I think it’ll help Habitat for Humanity because it will give it more publicity. More people will find out about it.’
She’s also proud of the work she and her family have done on their house, a sweat equity requirement for every homeowner: “It’s something we can say we did with the help of others. It’s not a hand out.’
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds houses with the help of partner families and sells the houses to the families at no profit, financed with no-interest loans, according to the Habitat Web site. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat homes.
Perhaps no one appreciated Tuesday’s work efforts more than Louis Gregor of Uniontown, who has been selected as the homeowner for this house. Gregor, who is a chef at Dolfi’s restaurant in Masontown, will live here with his sons, Louis Jr., 13, who is a sixth-grade student at Laurel Highlands Middle School, and Bradley, 11, who is in the fifth grade at Clark Elementary School.
“I’m excited and very happy, meeting all these nice people,’ said Gregor, who was celebrating his 36th birthday on Tuesday. “It’s the best birthday present ever. I’ve rented all my life and I always wanted to own my own home.’
The wives and league members were happy to meet Gregor, who was introduced to them during a ceremony at the start of the build by Dee John, president of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Fayette County.
Sydney Pernice, wife of player Tom Pernice, said, “It’s great to see people helping people. The man seems tremendously deserving.’
She also referred to the charity efforts made by the Hardy family, including collections during the 84 Lumber Classic to support the U.S. Golf Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Furthermore, 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa President and owner Maggie Hardy Magerko will personally match all donations collected up to $500,000. Beyond the $500,000 match, Hardy Magerko will also donate an additional amount equal to half of the winnings earned by defending 84 Lumber Classic Champion Vijay Sigh and John Daly, who are both sponsored by 84 Lumber.
Likewise, Habitat for Humanity is involved in hurricane relief.
Doug Stephens, regional development director for the Northeast, Habitat for Humanity International, who visited the build, noted that 30 Habitat affiliates were affected by Hurricane Katrina and are trying to get back on their feet.
Under Operation Home Delivery, Habitat is building homes in kits to be shipped to the Gulf Region. Stephens said Habitat will build as many homes as it has money.
“Shortly after people get food, water and medicine, they need a place to live,’ said Stephens. “It’s estimated 200,000 homes are needed in the Gulf region.’
Here in Fayette County, there is also a need for low-cost housing and Tuesday’s build also pointed out 84 Lumber’s strong support for Habitat for Humanity. Officials for 84 Lumber said the company has given some $2.5 million in material and cash to the organization on a national basis so far this year. In Fayette County, 84 Lumber donated $15,000 in materials necessary to construct the Gregor house.
Jeff Kmiec, vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, was on site during Tuesday’s Habitat build.
He noted the project is part of 84 Lumber’s Building Hope program but also gave credit to the Nemacolin Ladies League for their involvement in the Fayette County Habitat for Humanity.
Robyn Hall of the tournament called the Nemacolin Ladies League “the unsung heroes’ and extended a thanks to them for their work with Habitat.
Habitat officials are also pleased by the efforts of 84 Lumber, the Nemacolin Ladies League and the PGA Tour Wives.
Stephens said, “I think it’s great the support we’re receiving from 84 Lumber and the PGA and we can’t forget the partner family moving in – Louis and his two children.’
Stephens noted Habitat depends on volunteers and said, “A day like this is what it’s all about.’
The Rev. Paul N. Frank is pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Uniontown where Sherry Williams is a member. The church is assisting Habitat financially and with work crews.
During an opening ceremony for the build Tuesday, Frank read the “Sermon on the Mount’ among his prayers and noted, “God works through people and we’re so glad you’re here to help one another and share the love of God.’
Other local Habitat officials noted that volunteers are still needed to complete the Williams and Gregor houses as well as for the local ReStore at 280 E. Fayette St. in Uniontown. For more information, phone 724-437-4150.