By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
YPSILANTI – The foundation walls are in, and $50,000 has been raised. Now, the volunteers of the Rainbow House Project need three things: volunteers, donated goods, and more money.
Volunteers are needed beginning June 24 to literally help raise the roof – and put in the rooms, and the floors, and the carpeting…
According to Rainbow House co-chair Jeanne Alderson, donated goods could run the gamut from carpeting for the house to lunch for the volunteers.
And as for money, Rainbow House will be holding what organizers think will be a final fundraising event, a Texas Hold'em tournament, on July 15 at Glencoe Hills Apartments in Ann Arbor. The project still needs to raise $25,000.
Alderson said that response to the project, the second LGBT-sponsored Habitat for Humanity house in the country, have been mostly very positive. Sadly, Alderson said, the group "had a church, a business and an organization that were all for it until they found out it was LGBT – which cracks me up, because we're still building the house for the same person."
However, not only has the majority of the straight community come forward to help, but Rainbow House has been a success in the LGBT community as well. Alderson said that 114 individuals signed up to volunteer at Michigan Pride alone.
Of course, bringing communities together is an integral part of the Rainbow House Project's mission.
"That's why we're doing it – we want to build bridges between us and the people who don't really know us," said Alderman.
Help OUT
The Rainbow House project is seeking volunteers to work weekends beginning the weekend of June 24 & 25 constructing a Habitat for Humanity house for a needy family. Volunteers will be trained on site; no prior construction experience is necessary. To volunteer visit http://www.rainbowhouseproject.org and click on the "Volunteer" tab.
Texas Hold'em! For just $50, gamblers, philanthropists and people who like to get out and have a good time can help support the Rainbow House Project on July 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The top prize is $500, and the event will take place at the Glencoe Hills Apartments on Glencoe Hills Drive in Ann Arbor. To order tickets or to make a donation visit http://www.rainbowhouseproject.org.
