The home of a doctor who died in a plane crash will become a home to a family
GAYLORD, MI -- An empty house will soon be a home.
Monday morning, work crews hoisted a vacant home and moved it seven miles to its new resting spot.
What makes this story unusual though is why it's being moved and who it belonged to before.
A ranch-style home is a new addition to the Otsego County Habitat for Humanity. It was generously donated and will soon to become a family's dream come true.
"To have a house donated is just the best thing that could happen to Habitat, and we're happy to accept this donation and we're looking forward to rehabbing it," said Donna Quandt, the Executive Director of Otsego County’s Habitat for Humanity.
It's something that doesn't happen to often. The last home donated to the Habitat for Humanity happened more than 10 years ago.
"It's a good use of this house, otherwise it probably would have been destroyed or something, but we'll make it into a house that will really be a good home for the family," said Tom Allison, Habitat’s Treasurer.
The donated home is number 18 on a growing list of houses the Habitat either has built or had donated. The home will be placed on the pre-constructed foundation on Knoch Road.
"It actually speeds up the process, as you can see, we have a home right away, it keeps the cost of it down, we're going to recycle the items, so it'll help the Restore, which is our biggest fundraiser, so it's a win-win-win," said Quandt.
The home was moved from a site on Red Finch Road near the Gaylord Country Club. The owner was Patrick McNamara, who was a well-known radiologist in the Gaylord Community. McNamara died last October in a plane crash, and this is something that his family said he would have appreciated.
"I’m certain he'd been very pleased with our decision on this, and that's certainly what we're trying to do, is honor what we think would be his wishes, and hopefully it'll provide some nice housing for a family," said Patrick’s brother Bob.
The home will be transformed to be energy efficient by the volunteers of Habitat for Humanity. One reason the McNamara's said they agreed to donate was because it's not a hand out, rather a hand-up for homeowners.
"I think we just want to do what's right," said McNamara.
"We can have a family benefit by moving into this house," said Quandt.
The family that will have the opportunity to be the new homeowners will be chosen at the Habitat Board Meeting on Thursday.
The family that is chosen will pay for the home and be responsible for some renovations.
Qualified families must meet certain criteria.
