Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County hosted its 28th-annual golf outing on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Snow Hill Country Club in New Vienna. A record was set with 28 teams participating this year with contenders representing a variety of businesses, organizations and individuals in the Clinton County area and surrounding counties.

Snow Hill catered the event with a delicious picnic-themed luncheon before the teams headed out for the shotgun start of 18 holes of golf with rather warm playing conditions on clear blue sunny day.

First place was awarded to Welage Corporation team of Bert Welage, Terry Saccone, Bryan Welage and David Welage with a score of 50.

Second place went to The Wise Guys team: Gary Bishop, Gary DeFayette, John Phelps and Mike Ropp with a score of 49. Third place went to the Elevation Community Church consisting of Greg Dolby, Ron Johnson, Tony Miller and Jordon English with a score of 51. The Ferguson Construction team of Chad Giffen, Niles Choice, and Austin Dicke scored 78, placed last but were still elated as playing Snow Hill was so much fun.

Forty-two hole sponsors’ signs were placed throughout the course, and donations received from over 38 individuals and businesses brightened the event with numerous raffle baskets and door prizes.

In addition to Farmers Insurance setting up their chipping challenge, ATSG set up a golf cannon to liven up the day. Participants were able to pay to aim and launch their own golf ball.

This year, Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County is busy with two new homes. Cross Creek Circle will be the home for a grandmother raising her 10-year-old daughter. Soon-to-be homeowner, Michelle Stewart, is excited to have a new home with a low maintenance yard. This is the 48th home built by dedicated and experienced construction volunteers since this affiliate had the dream to help build homes for poor families unable to obtain a conventional home loan in Clinton County.

In July, the foundation was dug for the 49th home on Mulberry Street in Wilmington. Building costs have wreaked havoc for local contractors, not only this volunteer Habitat for Humanity affiliate. COVID was the beginning of expensive building products, and the costs of these items have not settled down. Fundraising to defer the rising cost of lumber, trusses, drywall and other expenses challenges the volunteers who depend on the community to help with the mission statement to build these energy efficient, affordable homes. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, using interest free loans making these families tax paying contributors to the area.

The community can support Habitat by visiting, donating and spending money at the Habitat ReStore located at 1032 W. Main St., Wilmington. Another way to donate is by donating a gently-used car to the organization and remembering Clinton County, Ohio Habitat for Humanity in your will. For more information about donating, contact Cecilia Krusling, president HFH-CC at [email protected].