Retirees find Habitat work rewarding

Care-A-Vanners hit town

By Colleen Flaherty

NORTH MANKATO — These retirees are a long way from the beach.

Care-A-Vanners from all over the country are joining together to build the Habitat for Humanity Mankato chapter’s 42nd and 43rd home in North Mankato.

Retired folks who live or travel in RVs come together to build homes for those less fortunate and arrived Sunday in Mankato and will be working here until Aug. 2.

“For Habitat, it certainly benefits us. We have 13 people working at least 40 hours a week, and we get a lot done in a short time,” said Julie Schmillen, executive director Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota.

This year, there are seven coaches, six couples and one single, all camping free of charge at Mankato’s Land of Memories Park.

Tom and Marion Braum have been working with Care-A-Vanners through the Family Motorcoach Association. They’ve built all over the U.S., from their home in Sioux Falls to Washington, and now Minnesota.

“The best thing about this program is the camaraderie. Also, the community is so welcoming,” Tom said.

After 20 years of the program, there is a problem that may bring fewer RVers. Many of the larger motor homes get 8-10 miles per gallon, and some even less than that.

“It costs as much as $500-$600 every stop,” Marion said.

“When we used to announce a build, we would have a waiting list. Now we don’t,” Tom said.

The houses that are being built are for local families. One on Lor Ray Drive is for a local family with three children, and another is a house for 10, the largest the Baums have ever built.

Sue Salter from Sherman, Texas, has been building for seven years and has no plans to stop.

“It’s for the fellowship. Not to mention you get to see a lot of the country.”

She admits gas prices have slowed her down a bit, but she and her husband still manage about three builds a year.

“It’s incredibly rewarding work. I almost feel bad when people thank me for what I’m doing. I’m having a whole lot of fun,” Salter said.

Lori and Jerry HcHugh from Boulder City, Nev., are on their first build, but it’s not their last.

“It’s hard work, but it’s all worth it. The people that you work with are so giving of their time,” Jerry said.

“We need to take care of our own. Sometimes we forget there are so many people in need in our own country.”

Another challenge for the builders is adapting to the Minnesota heat.

“We tend to set weather records wherever we go,” Salter joked.

If you’re interested in helping, contact your local Habitat for Humanity at 388-2081 or visit habitat.org.

“It’s quite amazing what they do — traveling on their own expense to work on homes for needy people,” said Alison Troldahl, volunteer coordinator for the Mankato chapter.