Quad City Times
August 19, 2006

Q-C family welcomed to its new ‘sunshine home’
By Ruth Longoria

It’s been a year since Jamie and Tracy Kain got word they were approved for a new Habitat for Humanity home for them and their three children, Nathan, 4; Abbi, 3; and Markus, 2.

The family had applied for an opportunity to own their own home a few months before. The months in between were filled with stress, hard work and a variety of blessings.

About 75 friends, relatives, church, city and Habitat for Humanity Quad-Cities representatives lined the street outside and filled the inside of the yellow house at 714 22nd St. in East Moline on Saturday as the Kain family received a variety of house warming gifts and the keys to their new home during dedication ceremonies.

“You’ve got a sunshine home,” another Habitat homeowner, Trudy Zielstorf told Tracy Kain as she admired the brightly colored outside of the home. “Yes, Jamie picked the color,” Tracy said with a smile.

The Kains, who are happy to be moving out of their two-bedroom mobile home in East Moline were involved in all aspects of constructing the home. Tracy said she helped with installation of the wallboards and countertops.

Habitat recipient families are required to put in a minimum of 500 volunteer hours on their own home, and/or the homes of other families within the program. Tracy put in the bulk of the volunteer homes for her family since her husband was unable to do much work due to health concerns.

In fact, Jamie’s health was a major concern for the family as they prepared to occupy the home on 22nd Street. Last year, Jamie received the unexpected news that his kidneys were failing. He had never had kidney problems before, although when he was 5 years old he had some problems with his urinary tubes, he said.

“The kidney problem was totally unexpected,” he said.

He was put on dialysis three times a week, and in June he received a kidney transplant, which has been so far successful, his wife said.

“Jamie has been doing very well, so with that and the new house, the family has been very blessed,” said Harriett Blackman, the Kains’ Habitat for Humanity family mentor.

Prior to the public ceremony outside their new home, Tracy and Jamie spent some time walking their children, friends and family through the new home. There were “oohs” and “aahhs” as people admired the new pantry, hardwood floors and large basement. Abbi was happy to show off where her bed and dresser will go as well as the big closet in her new room.

“This will be your house Markus,” Tracy told her wide-eyed little boy as he looked in a bedroom doorway.

This is the 42nd home Habitat has built for families in the Quad-City area since the nonprofit, non-denominational Christian organization began in 1976. The sixth Habitat home this year is expected to be completed in Davenport next month, said Terry Timmerman, volunteer coordinator for Habitat. “We’re hoping to get that family moved in in time for Christmas,” he said.

Zielstorf said she was happy to see the Kain family move into their new home Saturday. As a fellow-Habitat homeowner, she knows what it’s like to get such a needed hand up. She and her three now-grown children were able to move into their three-bedroom home in Davenport about five years ago.

“I love watching people move into their new homes because I know the emotions they are going through,” she said. “My kids are all grown now but they were in their teens when we got our house. I know the home helped make our family stronger, and I’m sure it will be like that for this family too.”