It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to build a house said Veronna Drane, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, Friday during the dedication of a handmade dollhouse to the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.
“We’ve been partnering with RiCI (Richland Correctional Institution) on many projects. They have a lot of great talent out there,” said Veronna Drane, executive director of Habitat for Humanity. “We purchased a dollhouse kit and somehow it multiplied while it was there and we got back two dollhouses.”
An inmate from RiCI meticulously handcrafted the dollhouses and every piece of furniture as a way to give back to the community. Following their construction, the dollhouses were donated to Habitat for Humanity. One of the dollhouses was auctioned off during Habitat’s October fundraiser, Hard Hat Gala Monte Carlo night.
“We decided when we got the second dollhouse that we wanted to share the wealth and share the message of Habitat of Humanity and a great group to do that with was the young ones,” Drane said. “They are the volunteers of the future so we wanted to make sure to share the message of Habitat in a fun way.”
The message of Habitat is, “everyone deserves a simple, decent, affordable place to live,” she said.
Students from Scott Schag’s Kindergarten class at the Richland Academy School of Excellence visited the main library Friday afternoon and sat as quietly as five and six-year-old children can sit, to hear Richland Source Publisher Jay Allred read the book, “Raising the Roof” a children’s story about little boy who helps his parents and community build a house for Habitat for Humanity.
The Richland Academy School of Excellence children were excited when it was time to look at the scarlet and grey painted dollhouse. They asked many questions about the furniture which, Drane pointed out, was methodically made out of Popsicle sticks.
RiCI officer Matt Shepherd was on hand in the children’s department of the MRCPL for the dedication. He got to see the dollhouse erected from beginning to end. “It’s pretty neat to watch,” he said.
RiCI Warden Maggie Bradshaw was presented a framed certificate for the prisons’ collaboration with making the dollhouse.
“It’s important for us to be able to give back,” said Jennifer Gillece, assistant to the Warden at RiCI. “These give opportunities for offenders to really be able to engage in the restorative justice process.”
The dollhouse will be stored at the main library for different presentations or events, Drane said. Those who live in the outskirts of the county will also get a chance to see and interact with the dollhouse, as the dollhouse will also travel to the 8 branches of the library.
Richland Source joined Directions Credit Union, Tuttle’s Landscaping, Graham’s Auto Mall, Visiting Nurses Association, Home and Kitchen Supply as sponsors of the event.
To donate money, services, time or to apply for a Habitat for Humanity house, call their offices at 419-524-8361 or visit richlandhabitat.org.
Twitter: @angelnichole222
