AND THE WINNER IS …

Bob Buker, owner of Beaver Builders, was “crowned” Habitat for Humanity – Quad Cities’ first “Mr. Habitat” last Saturday evening, October 21st, at the Rogalski Center on the St. Ambrose University campus.

Mr. Buker edged out four other celebrity contestants for the golden hard hat by collecting the most “votes” tallied as dollars dropped in Mr. Buker’s paint can by guests at the first annual fundraising event for the local Habitat affiliate.

The event raised over $11,000 to build simple, decent, affordable homes for Habitat partner families.

In addition to Mr. Buker, contestants for the “Mr. Habitat” title included Davenport Mayor Ed Winborn, Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Scott Tunnicliff, REMAX Realtor Mike Ingleby and Habitat volunteer Wiley Plummer.

Contenders for the Mr. Habitat title built a Habitat house out of Legos while wearing construction gear during the “talent” competition and answered questions from a panel of “judges” which included Quad City Times movie critic Linda Cook, Davenport Alderman-at-Large Jamie Howard, community volunteer Mrs. Bobbi Rogalski, American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Executive Director Betsy Pratt, and former Bettendorf Mayor Ann Hutchinson.

Kai Swanson, assistant to the president of Augustana College, served as event emcee.

Major sponsors for the fundraising event were A.G. Edwards, Iowa American Water, Ryan Companies, the Quad City Times, KWQC-TV6 and GraphixOne Marketing and Design. Table sponsors included Anchor Lumber, Trissel Graham & Toole, Edward Jones, Eller Construction, Blondell Plumbing Service, Crafton Railroad Company and Augustana College Habitat for Humanity Student Chapter. Modern Woodmen of America contributed printing services to the event.