Habitat Breaks Ground on Poland Family Home
Local Family Partners with Habitat for Humanity for Piqua Project
Piqua, OH – June 26, 2025 —Tuesday June 24, 2025 was an exciting day for Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, as well as future homeowner Raine Poland and her young son. A Groundbreaking Ceremony took place at the site of their future home to be built in Piqua, Ohio. Raine will partner with Habitat for Humanity to work toward building and purchasing her new home. She will contribute 250 hours of “sweat equity” volunteer time toward her home and assume a 0% interest mortgage when it is complete. The Poland home is one of two homes Habitat will build this year in Piqua. These homes will fill the buildable lots on their block and complete a neighborhood.
This life-changing project is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Precision Strip and The Duke Foundation, whose commitment to community and affordable housing has helped turn this dream into a reality. Precision Strip Vice President Jim Lammers spoke to the crowd saying, “Today, as we break this ground, we build a foundation for this family to thrive. To the future homeowner Raine, this home represents an opportunity for security, and a fresh start. We honor your commitment to build a better future for yourself and your son.”
Rayce Robinson, President of the Duke Foundation, expressed his pride in the partnership with Habitat. He stressed that the Duke Foundation was committed to addressing “one of our community’s most pressing challenges – affordable housing.” He went on, “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to building not just homes, but hope and opportunity for families across the region.”
Habitat staff and volunteers, guests of the Poland family, and sponsor representatives were joined by Missionary Church ECR Crisis Relief Pastor Keith Berger who gave an opening blessing, Piqua City Manager Paul Oberdorfer, and Miami County Commissioner Wade Westfall who each spoke about how the project will impact the Piqua neighborhood.
Future homeowner Raine thanked the project sponsors as well as Habitat for Humanity volunteers saying, “thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every moment we will spend building together means more than just construction. It will be a powerful reminder that I am not alone. Every wall we raise will bring my son and I one step closer to home.”
“We are honored to partner with these incredible organizations as well as with Raine herself, to build a safe, stable place she and her son can call home,” said Scott Barr, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties. “This project represents what can be achieved when community members and partners come together for a common good.”
The new home is part of Habitat’s ongoing mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Construction is set to begin in mid-July. Current combined sponsorship dollars amount to $90,000; a total of $150,000 is needed to complete the build. If a company or organization is interested in helping Habitat reach their funding goal, please contact Scott Barr at 937-332-3763.
For more information or to get involved, visit www.hfhmco.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties
Since 1992, HFHMSCO has been building homes and offering critical home repair services to families in need. Based in Troy, OH, the organization builds one to two homes annually and serves families earning 30%–80% of the median income in Miami and Shelby Counties. HFHMSCO also operates a ReStore in Troy, OH, which supports its mission through the sale of donated items.
In addition to its ReStore operations, HFHMSCO offers corporate volunteer opportunities in three key areas: assisting with home builds or repair projects under the guidance of a Construction Manager, working in the Habitat Activity Center to build playhouses and furniture, and helping staff with ReStore operations.
HFHMSCO is committed to putting God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
