Dow Chemical Company’s manufacturing facility in Hanging Rock and the Ashland-Ironton Area Habitat for Humanity will once again partner in building a house in Ironton.

Thursday, March 15, 2001

Dow Chemical Company’s manufacturing facility in Hanging Rock and the Ashland-Ironton Area Habitat for Humanity will once again partner in building a house in Ironton.

Groundbreaking for the home will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 831 N. Fourth St. Dow will provide funding for building materials and Styrofoam insulating board siding for the house. In addition, Dow employees will contribute volunteer time on the job as the building progresses.

Construction of the home will be supervised by Carl Dean and Lew Dunn, co-chairmen of the Ashland-Ironton Habitat For Humanity construction committee and leaders of the organization’s volunteers. Leading Dow volunteers on the job will be Troy DeHoff, site supervisor of Dow, and Dwight Miller. The future home-owners will also be on the site as frequently as they can.

"Both the company and its employees are proud to be a part of the Habitat for Humanity effort in the Ironton area," said Miller. "We want to be a good neighbor and a vital part of the community, giving back a part of what we have received."

Joining these and other volunteers will be a work camp group from Grove City College of Grove City, Pa. This year’s visit to the Ashland-Ironton area will be the group’s 12th.

"We have never had a less than exemplary experience with these young folks," Dunn said of the Grove City group. "They come to work on time each day, put in a full day’s work and do a quality job. If there is not a full day’s work, they find something to do for another charitable or non-profit agency in the area."

Kentucky Technical College students and faculty supervisors also volunteer services.

Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary said the local Habitat for Humanity has had a positive influence on the community since its founding in 1986.

"Habitat for Humanity has been at work in our town for 15 years helping make it possible for many, many needy families to afford to buy a home of their own," he said. "I know of very few organizations that can claim and uphold that kind of reputation. Hands-on help building their own home gives the home-owner partner an added sense of satisfaction in home ownership."