Habitat for Humanity, Wells Fargo partner on Habitat home

SANDPOINT — Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo broke ground in Sandpoint, with Wells Fargo committing $15,000 to a new home for Ryan and Amanda Ruff and their three children.

Wells Fargo volunteers will return next spring, expecting to give additional volunteer hours to the project.

“Owning our own home has been a dream, well, a journey for a number of years now,” said Amanda Ruff, future homeowner.

Her husband, Ryan Ruff echoed the statement, adding “The kids are still young but growing, and it’s important to us to provide this for them. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but it really doesn’t feel like work, knowing we’ll have a home at the end.”

To qualify for Habitat for Humanity assistance, families must have a housing need, job and enough income to support a mortgage but not enough income that they could qualify for a conventional loan. Dual parent families must also put in 500 hours or more of “sweat equity” for their construction and other Habitat homes. Community and volunteer support is particularly welcome toward helping Habitat for Humanity fulfill its mission.

“The Ruff family is such a great fit for our program,” said Tom Harvill, president for IPHFH board of directors. “It’s a pleasure to see Amanda and Ryan break ground on their home, and with partners in giving such as Wells Fargo, we’re all working together to make the Ruffs’ dream a reality.”

Wells Fargo’s commitment reflects its longstanding relationship with Habitat for Humanity, allocating a great deal of time and funds to Habitat for Humanity each year.

“Wells Fargo’s focus is on what’s right for our customers and community,” said Christi Garcia, Wells Fargo district manager for the Idaho Panhandle. “Our Vision & Values support giving, whether money or time, but even with this baked into our culture, it makes me proud to have such a large volunteer group helping with this build. Though a long drive for some, helping to make the Sandpoint community stronger, helping the Ruffs succeed — it’s an easy choice.”

Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity is an independently funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

Wells Fargo employs 2,200 team members and serves 255,000 households across Idaho from 88 stores and 93 ATMs.

The new home is expected to complete next summer in 2014. To volunteer time for this home or other Habitat for Humanity efforts in the Sandpoint area, please contact the ReStore at (208) 265-5313.