Meet Christine Withrow and Grandsons

If you have had an opportunity to spend time at the current Habitat build site in Brodhead, you have no doubt already met Christine and her two teenaged grandsons, Cody and Toby. The required minimum of 250 hours of “sweat equity” has been no problem for this family. They are all eager to help in every way they can. After waiting 2 ½ years since their first contact with Habitat for Humanity of Green County, their dream of owning a home is now just a few steps away from completion. 

 

This project has taken longer than the normal Habitat home, and was plagued with some early setbacks…but no one has lost faith. Each time a new hurdle presented itself, the solution came soon afterward. Christine said that it’s been an important life lesson for the boys and her self about patience and faith.  “My way of thinking is that it will get done in the Lord’s time; and I have enough faith to know his timing is always perfect.”

 

About 5 years ago, Christine’s grandson Cody Rader came to live with her in her rented double-wide trailer on the south edge of Brodhead. It was soon afterwards that his younger brother Toby moved in. Together, they have been making do, but conditions are less than desirable. Besides the cramped quarters, there are other issues with the aging trailer. Christine said “she spent a fortune last winter to heat it, and they are already living on meager funds.” 

 

It was Cody that first suggested to his grandmother that they should apply for a Habitat home. He was watching “Extreme Home Makeover” on TV when he saw an episode where they had teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build homes. So she did, and here they are.

 

Christine said she was “elated and overwhelmed” when they found out that her family had been chosen. Christine said she has really enjoyed working with everyone involved in the Habitat program. “What these people do, and what they have done over the years is just amazing. The commitment and generosity of all the volunteers is just so impressive to see.” She has been involved in many behind the scenes projects helping Habitat with computer work, meal preparation, and just overall organization at the build site.

 

Toby and Cody have been anxious to help and learn new skills too. They both were helping right from the start digging trenches for plumbing, laying insulation on the foundation, and shoveling the snow, again and again, so work could begin. They are busy teenagers with sports and school, but make time to help out at every opportunity.

 

Christine is so impressed with Habitat and the work they are doing, she plans to stay involved even after her home is complete.  I want to help them put other families in homes.  “Pay it Forward” she said. “When you’ve been blessed like this, you need to pay if forward.”

 

The outside of the home is just about finished and the inside will not be far behind. If you would like to meet Christine, Cody and Toby…just come on out to the build site during a work day, and there’s a good chance you will.