KENOSHA, Wis. — Habitat for Humanity has built a name on generosity, but now they’re asking for help.
Habitat for Humanity Kenosha had to pause work on two homes for families in need after thieves stole key equipment out of its trailer.
On a rainy day, spirits are still high as they can possibly be, as the crew in Kenosha digs on land they’re planning to build two houses on.
The work on these two homes, which are merely slabs of wood cement now, is at a standstill.
“Thank god we weren't framing today because everything we need to run a construction site for framing a house was taken,” said Tom Neisen, construction manager.
Thieves made away with roughly $4,000 worth of vital equipment from the trailer.
“Our generator, the air compressor all the air compressor tools are gone,” Neisen said. “All the skill saws. We had lots of hand tools from Milwaukee Electric. They left our hand tools because I guess nobody wants to work that hard.”
Neighbors said they’re disgusted about what happened.
"It’s not right, they’re trying to help people out and you take away from them? It’s really sad,” said Jessica Johnson, who lives around the corner from the site.
Perhaps none are more disappointed than future homeowners who sent along video statements.
“Those tools are tools to build my future house and all other future homeowners houses,” said Andreian Cunningham.
“My children and I were very sad to hear that the project working on our future home is going to take longer than expected. Due to someone’s wrong actions,” said Jeanette Perez.
In the meantime, Habitat volunteers said they’re making use of their time, preparing the land for when they began building again. Neighbors said they’ll be keeping a close eye on the habitat site moving forward.
“I’m definitely going to keep an eye for them as well,” Johnson said.
Despite the thefts, Habitat for Humanity plans to have both homes completed by the summer.
A link to the GoFundMe can be found here.
