The new board of Rebuilding Together Duneland held its first meeting, on Aug. 27, to discuss the April 24, 2010, work day.

New board members and committee appointments:

•President, Dawn Mount.

•Secretary and administrative assistant, Jenni Nielsen.

•Treasurer, Scott Mundell.

•Fundraising chairs, Keith Davison and Heather Ennis.

•Logistics, Dianna Gill.

•Webmaster, Jim Mount.

•Public relations director, Nancy Veselica.

•Safety Coordinator, Kevin Murray.

•Materials Coordinator, Alex Mitchell.

•Fundraising support, Jocelyn Hibshman.

“Dawn Mount was our logistics specialist on the board last year,” Ennis noted in a statement released last week. “Dawn is executive director at the Golden Living Center, has been a great asset to the organization for the last five years, and will contribute a great deal to the position of president.”

Meanwhile, Rebuilding Together Duneland is currently looking for a new construction coordinator. This position requires extensive experience in the construction industry and it would be additionally beneficial if the candidate has previously worked as a house captain on the annual work day.

A volunteer coordinator is also need.

Please call 926-3233 and leave your name and phone number if interested.

Rebuilding Together Duneland relies on the generous donations of local businesses and suppliers to accomplish its work. “Our focus at this time is on fundraising and rehabbing at least 10 homes and three to four community projects,” Mount said. “Rebuilding Together affiliates are also sponsoring and volunteering to install eight to 10 ramp systems on Oct. 17, 2009, in the Duneland, Valparaiso, Portage, and Hebron school systems. Local sponsors are needed to help with funding. This campaign is being supported by a $25,000 Heroes at Home grant by Sears Holding.”

“We’re looking to raise over $35,000 this year to meet the needs of local homeowners with less resources,” Davison said. “We are here to help.” Businesses or individuals sponsoring a home also have the opportunity for a day of volunteer team building with their employees. Rebuilding Together Duneland is an affiliate of the nation’s largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization which helps struggling homeowners lead safe, secure, and independent lives.

Any homeowner who lives in the Duneland School Corporation and is financially or physically unable to make necessary improvements to his or her home, with an emphasis on the elderly, disabled, and families with children may be eligible for help.

The deadline for homeowners to apply is Dec. 31, 2009. Applications are available at Hopkins Ace Hardware, the Chesterton Tribune, the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce, the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry, the Westchester Public Library, the Westchester Township Trustee’s Office, and the Town of Chesterton Building Department.

Requests for an application may be sent to P.O. Box 644, Chesterton, IN 46304 or by e-mail to info@rtduneland.org

 or otherwise call 926-3233.