Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County Ohio

06/18/2026

Who else is ready for the ultimate backyard upgrade? 🎉 We're throwing it back to our 2024 Playhouse Build and getting ready to do it all again! 🎊

This year, thanks to our amazing sponsors, we're giving away SIX custom playhouses... and did we mention that they will be fully custom and personalized to your kiddo's interests?

To qualify, families must:
✅ Live in Ottawa County
✅ Have at least one child under age 10
✅ Be available to attend the Playhouse Presentation on Friday, August 28, 2026
✅ Be able to pick up the playhouse following the presentation

Applications are available online and at the Habitat ReStore.
Link to apply online: https://www.habitatottawacounty.org/playhousebuild
📅 Application deadline: July 31, 2026

We'll randomly select the winners in a drawing, so fingers crossed! 🤞

06/17/2026

🏆 We are proud to share that Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County was recognized today at the Ottawa County Safety Council Awards!

Our organization received the Above and Beyond Award for attending all of the Safety Council meetings throughout the year, demonstrating our commitment to workplace safety and ongoing education.

In addition, our Community Engagement Director, Valerie Winterfield, was honored with the Social Butterfly Award for networking and engaging with fellow Safety Council members during meetings.

At Habitat, safety is a top priority. Whether we're building homes, completing repairs, operating our ReStore, or hosting community events, we are committed to creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, homeowners, and customers. The knowledge and resources we gain through the Safety Council help us strengthen that commitment every day.

Thank you to the Ottawa County Safety Council for these recognitions and for the valuable work you do to promote workplace safety throughout our community!

06/15/2026

📸 Meet Our 2026 Habitat Board of Directors! 🏡💙

We're excited to introduce the dedicated leaders who help guide the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to affordable housing are helping us build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter right here in our community.

Pictured on our new BIG Chair in front of the Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County ReStore are:

⭐ Greg Bock, Board Member
⭐ Rhonda Sowers, Board Member
⭐ Debi Heiks, Executive Director
⭐ Valerie Winterfield, Community Engagement Director
⭐ Alex Morgan Johnson, Board Secretary
⭐ Jill Kozlok, Board Treasurer
⭐ Pastor Becky Bolander, Board President
⭐ Curt Riechman, Board Member
⭐ Jim Barney, Board Member
⭐ Troy Wittman, Board Member

A special thank you to Shores & Islands Ohio for providing the grant that made our new BIG Chair possible! The chair has quickly become a fun addition to the ReStore and a great way to showcase the partnership, community spirit, and tourism that make Ottawa County such a special place to live, work, and visit.

Together, our Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners are helping Habitat continue to grow—building more homes, completing more critical home repairs, and serving more families than ever before.

Stop by the ReStore, snap a photo in the BIG Chair, and see the impact your support is making in our community!

💙 Thank you for helping us build homes, communities, and hope.

🏡🔨💙

06/15/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the Ottawa County Community Foundation, Ohio for awarding Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County a grant to support our Critical Home Repair Program!

This funding will help local homeowners right here in Ottawa County make needed repairs that improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life. From fixing unsafe conditions to helping residents remain in the homes they love, these repairs make a lasting difference for families in our community.

We are incredibly grateful not only for this grant, but for the Foundation's continued commitment to strengthening Ottawa County. On Thursday alone, the Ottawa County Community Foundation awarded grants to 37 organizations, investing in projects and programs that improve lives throughout our community.

Thank you to the Ottawa County Community Foundation for all that you do to support local nonprofits and the people we serve. We are honored to be one of this year's grant recipients and look forward to putting these funds to work helping our neighbors.

WHAT A MORNING! Today, OCCF awarded 37 grants totaling $138,551 at our Annual Grants Breakfast—the largest grant distribution in Foundation history!

We're grateful to the nonprofit organizations and community groups that are making a difference across Ottawa County every day. From serving children and families to supporting seniors, education, the arts, and community well-being, these organizations make an impact in the lives of so many. OCCF is honored to support their efforts.
-Bayshore Bayshore Counseling Services
-Cancer Services
-Concerned Citizens for Oak Harbor Area
-Cultivate the Clover of Ottawa County (OSU Ottawa County 4-H)
-Diabetes Youth Services
-Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center
-Firelands Symphony Orchestra
-Friends of Perry's Victory & Int'l Peace Memorial
-Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County
-Joyful Connections
-Lake Erie Islands Conservancy
-Lake Erie Island Nature & Wildlife Center
-Luther Home of Mercy
-Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society
-Middle Bass Island Historical Society
-Musical Arts Series Port Clinton
-Oak House/Polly's Place
-Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center
-Ottawa County Holiday Bureau
-Ottawa County Task Force on Aging
-Otterbein North Shore
-Port Clinton Area Heritage Foundation
-Port Clinton Firefighters Association
-Port Clinton Soccer Club
-Put-in-Bay Community Swim & Sail
-Schedel Arboretum and Gardens
-Sleep in Heavenly Peace-Oak Harbor
-St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
-The Parkvue Commuity on Catawba Island
-The Salvation Army
-Trinity United Methodist Church Thrift Shoppe
-United Way of Ottawa County
-Walk in My Shoes
-Ottawa County Business Advisory Council - Skilled Trades Center
-OSU Stone Lab

Stay tuned next week as we highlight more about this year's grant recipients!

06/13/2026

💙 Community Partner Spotlight: Bayside Comfort HVAC & Plumbing 💙

We would like to give a huge shoutout to Bayside Comfort for their continued support of Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County!

For years, Bayside Comfort has been a valued partner, always willing to lend a hand when we need them. Whether it's helping with HVAC needs, supporting our projects, sponsoring events, or providing generous discounts on services, their commitment to our mission has made a real difference.

Local businesses like Bayside Comfort help us stretch our resources further so we can focus on what matters most—providing affordable housing opportunities and critical home repairs for families in our community.

Thank you to the entire Bayside Comfort team for being such an incredible community partner. We are grateful for your support and proud to work alongside a company that truly cares about making Ottawa County a better place to live.

Please join us in thanking Bayside Comfort HVAC & Plumbing for their generosity and dedication to our community! 👏

06/11/2026

A huge thank you to Barry and the team at Homesmith for their generous $250.00 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County!

Barry recently stopped by to present a donation from the profits of a home sale, continuing his commitment to supporting Habitat and the work we do in our community. Partnerships like these help us continue building affordable housing, completing critical home repairs, and creating stronger communities right here in Ottawa County.

We are grateful for Barry's support and for choosing to invest back into our mission. Thank you for helping us build homes, communities, and hope!

06/09/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the Ladies in Mission at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church -Oak Harbor OH!

This past weekend, St. John's held a garage sale and generously donated all of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County—raising an incredible $2,000.00 to support affordable housing and critical home repairs right here in our community.

As if that wasn't enough, one of the young members of the congregation set up a lemonade stand during the garage sale and chose to donate all of her proceeds to Habitat as well! We had the opportunity to stop by for a refreshing glass of lemonade and were inspired by her generosity and big heart. It's wonderful to see the spirit of giving being passed on to the next generation.

St. John's has been an amazing partner and supporter of Habitat for many years. From special offerings and donations to volunteer support and community outreach, they are always looking for ways to help their neighbors. We are especially grateful for Pastor Becky Bolander, our Board President, whose passion for Habitat has inspired countless people through her leadership, advocacy, and even her incredible Biking 4 Builds journey.

We are truly blessed to have a church community that believes so strongly in our mission and continues to invest in local families.

Thank you to everyone who donated, shopped, volunteered, hosted, and supported this event. Your generosity is helping us build homes, complete critical home repairs, and bring hope to families throughout Ottawa County.

❤️ Thank you, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church -Oak Harbor OH! We are grateful for your friendship, partnership, and continued support.

06/06/2026

Summer weather is officially here and we are feeling excited for our Sq**rt Gun Fun Run - Resort at Erie Landing - Benefitting Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County event! 🏃‍♀️🌞

This fun, family-friendly 1.5-mile run/walk will take participants through the Resort at Erie Landing while spectators line the course spraying runners with sq**rt guns along the way!

Finish the race with an epic splash at the finish line and help support affordable housing right here in Ottawa County.

To register online as an individual, team, or as a sq**rt gun water warrior along the course: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/sq**rt-gun-fun-run-resort-at-erie-landing

06/03/2026

It's National Bicycle Day! 🚴‍♀️

It's no secret that we love to ride our bicycles.
From Pastor Becky's amazing cross country ride to our local loop, last year we pedaled our bikes for a purpose. 💙🏡

We hope you get to enjoy some sunshine on a bike ride today. 🌞😎

06/03/2026

🏠✨ Apply for a FREE Custom Playhouse! ✨🏠

Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County is excited to announce that applications are now open for our 2026 Playhouse Project!

This year, six local children will receive a custom-built playhouse, personalized to their interests, favorite colors, hobbies, and themes. From beach houses to princess castles to superhero hideouts, each playhouse is uniquely designed by one of our generous community sponsors.

Best of all, these playhouses are completely FREE for selected families!

To qualify, families must:
✅ Live in Ottawa County
✅ Have at least one child under age 10
✅ Be available to attend the Playhouse Presentation on Friday, August 28, 2026
✅ Be able to pick up the playhouse following the presentation

Applications are available online and at the Habitat ReStore.

📅 Application deadline: July 31, 2026

A random drawing will be held from all eligible applications.

A huge thank you to our Playhouse Sponsors:
❤️ USG
❤️ VISTRA
❤️ Weichert Realtors – Morgan Realty Group
❤️ Port Clinton Eagles Club
❤️ Walmart Port Clinton
❤️ Materion

Give your child a special place to imagine, play, and make memories!

📄 Download the application here: https://www.habitatottawacounty.org/playhousebuild