Out & About: Habitat for Humanity gala boosts building projects

Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity is in the midst of two housing projects, a new build in Greensburg and a property rehab in Lowber.

Families already are waiting to move in, said Executive Director Courtney Guerrieri at the organization’s Home Is Where the Heart Is Gala, on April 1 at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon.

The Lowber property should be finished in June, but the Greensburg house is nine months to a year from completion, she said.

Guerrieri said the Habitat ReStore in Hempfield is always in need of donations of building materials and supplies.

“It seems like as soon as donations come in, they go right back out the door,” she said.

On the theme of recycling and reusing, one of the gala raffle prizes was a table made by board member Reid Crosby from an eclectic mix of materials.

The base of the Prairie Table is a Canadian granite boulder that came from an old barn foundation in Erie. It has iron uprights framing a gravel screen and a top made of coastal redwood that was part of a discarded trash can from Pittsburgh’s Station Square.

Assisting Guerrieri on the gala committee were Assistant Director Sean Kunkle, board members Jim Graham and Karen Novak, Laurie Kiss and Hayden Fowler.

Seen: Chad Warhold, Desmond, Amy and Kiona Grace, Justin and Julie Zeravica, Otis DiCerbo, Brent Colston, Brian Dwaileebe, John and Deb Shelapinsky, Dan and Rose Dopirak, Susan Shapiro, Linda Posch, Larry Dudash, Miranda Sullenberger, Thomas Fraicola, Brian and Tara Guerrieri, Mark and Alisha Dynoske, Bob and Janette Regola, Beth Tiedemann, Denise Holmes, Carlotta Paige and Brian Root.