L’Anse family rings in 2014 with a new home

What a way to ring in the new year as Justin Dove and his family got the keys to a beautiful house in L’Anse, thanks to help from Habitat for Humanity.

This weekend was the house dedication.  Many of the volunteers who helped build the house attended.

It is the first ever Habitat for Humanity project in Baraga County.

Jim Loman, who oversees the application process, says there is a lot that happens before even a single brick is set.

“Two years ago, the Copper Country Chapter requested to initiate a series of meetings in Baraga County to determine the need for housing locally and there were a series of meetings that were held in the L’Anse Township Hall.  Community folks were involved, local churches involved,” Loman said.

Pastor Greg Mileski of the United Lutheran Church led the prayer and offered blessings to the family for their new home.

Dove says he is very grateful for the support.  “The reality, it just sets in and it feels so wonderful.  Actually owning a house and here it is today.  My dream has come true,” he said.

Dove added that seeing the end result of the hard work he and other volunteers put in is very gratifying.

Habitat for Humanity says they will continue to do more projects in the Western Upper Peninsula for those who are in need.