More than a dozen volunteers helped on a Habitat for Humanity project at 1087 N. Main St. in Jamestown. Project leaders believe the house will be completed by January 2023. Submitted photo

Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity recently hosted volunteers for its ongoing project in the city.

The volunteers worked on the rehab project at 1087 N. Main St. under the supervision of project manager Tom Murphy and David Kurzawa, Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity volunteer executive director.

“The volunteers make the project happen,” Kurzawa said. “Without the volunteers, we can’t build. That’s a very important part of our our organization, building a decent home for a family to live in.”

Volunteers at the June 25 work day included residents from Jamestown, Silver Creek, Mayville, Fredonia and Panama.

“Their skills and energy made a huge difference in the task at hand,” said Eileen Braungard, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. “Much progress has been made thanks to all the volunteers from around the county.”

While the organization received the house as a donation about three years ago, volunteers did not begin working on the project until last October. The renovated house is tentatively planned to provide a home for Alison Turner.

Kurzawa described the property as a small, two bedroom home with one bathroom, a kitchen and a storage area on the second floor. Habitat for Humanity also hopes to add a porch to the front of the house.

Kurzawa expects the project to be completed by Jan. 1, 2023.

“The project’s been going very well,” he said. Despite some COVID-19 regulations required by Habitat International, the group has been able to utilize small groups to accomplish their work.

“We are now starting to invite business and corporations to send volunteer groups on days that they wish to have their employees work with us,” Kurzawa said. “We are opening up to regular business again.”

The organization usually meets from 8:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m. on Saturday mornings to work on the house. However, with businesses and volunteer groups once again able to work in conjunction with the Habitat for Humanity, Kurzawa said that special times during the week can be planned for working on the house.

As the project continues, the organization is working with the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation for the painting of the house.

Habitat for Humanity has received assistance for the location from the Jamestown Housing Authorities as well as grants through Cummings and The Lenna Foundation.

Kurzawa stressed the importance of volunteers. “We have had a great of support from the city and different organizations already, but we always are looking for more support and more helpers,” he said.

To volunteer with the organization, Kurzawa encouraged people to visit chqhabitat.org and fill out a volunteer application or contact him at 716-863-4475. Additionally, people are welcome to attend the Saturday morning work days, where they can fill out a volunteer application and contribute to the progress on the house.

Platinum sponsors for the local project include Northwest Bank, Tiede, and Zoeller Tile. Gold sponsors include Bahgat & Laurito, Bahgat, and The Waterfront Foundation. Silver Sponsors include Purina Pet Food, Radack & Hartnett Attorneys, Gugino Plumbing, Heating and Air, Add Lumber True Value, and Dunkirk Fredonia Self Storage. Bronze sponsors include Holt and Hanna Realty, Community Bank, WMW Motors Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Rogers Land Surveying Jamestown, Atlas Comfort Cabins, and Fortner Roofing and Construction.