Putting politics aside: Elected officials and candidates work together on Habitat build
The house under construction at 2015 S. Bernard Drive, Bloomington, attracted a good bit of political attention last weekend.
A number of elected local officials — plus candidates for office — responded to a request for help at the site where Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County has a two-story, four-bedroom house rising.
The future owners were working, too: Laura Gallegos and her mother, Juana Franco. Laura is on staff at Bloomington Center for Global Children.
Laura, her children — Erick, 6, a student at Arlington School, and Zoe, 13, a seventh grader at Tri-North — and Grandma Juana now live in a basement rental apartment in Bloomington.
“The kids can’t wait to have their own rooms and to play at the park nearby,” Laura told Habitat representatives.
The political workforce at the construction site was rounded up by Braver Angels Indiana, a volunteer-run national organization that Don Byrd, Indiana state coordinator, describes as “dedicated to bridging the political divide for tolerance and understanding,” including down-to-earth projects like helping out at Habitat sites.
Byrd said he counted seven Republicans and four Democrats among the construction volunteers pounding hammers, cutting wood and stuffing insulation, including State Sen. Shelli Yoder and Ellettsville Town Council member William Ellis.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Braver Angels Indiana brings Dems, Reps to Monroe County Habitat build
