20 years in the making

Back in 1997 a small group of dedicated people got together and said, "We can do it." So they did. I'm speaking of North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, of course.

The first steering committee meeting of a group to form an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International under the leadership of then editor of the North Platte Telegraph newspaper, Keith Blackledge, was held on March 3, 1997. After many meetings and gathering much required date it was reported that the name of the North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity (NPAHFH) had been approved for the groups on April 8, 1997. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were approved and the Affiliate status was granted in January 1998. The lot for the first house was purchased in March 1998, the first family was selected in April 1998, ground-breaking in May 1998 and the house was completed and dedicated on September 20, 1998.

It was quite a long process but with the determination and hard work of the citizens of North Platte, many of whom are still involved to this day, NPAHFH became a reality.

Now, here it is, twenty years later, and NPAHFH is stronger than ever before. In November of 1997 we dedicated our 50th House with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the North Platte Chamber of Commerce and more people than we've ever seen at a Dedication Ceremony. NPAHFH has joined the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Downtown Association, who both assist us in giving our work a broader audience.

So its time to celebrate reaching this Milestone. Twenty years is a wonderful accomplishment and we intend to share it with our volunteers, our homeowners and the folks in our community. We will host a variety of events throughout the year from our Mr. Habitat fund-raising competition to our 20th Birthday Party.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate 20 years of Habitat in North Platte!