Habitat volunteer's connection lives on

COEUR d'ALENE - Jim Hamilton was a devoted, hard-working volunteer.

After retiring from North Idaho College, Hamilton spent countless hours helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho.

He passed away in February, but his connection to Habitat lives on in Coeur d'Alene, in the name of one of its newest projects: Hamilton Woods.

"He was just a gentle, sweet person," said Eula Hickam, board chair of the nonprofit's North Idaho affiliate. "He was always out at the job site on Saturdays."

A group of about 50 gathered Friday for a name dedication at the Hazel Avenue site now being excavated to make way for four homes.

Most of the cost for the site's infrastructure will be covered by a $46,000 Community Development Block Fund Grant awarded to Habitat by the city of Coeur d'Alene.

The nonprofit purchased the land four years ago.

"We feel so fortunate, as a city, to be part of a project like this," said Mayor Sandi Bloem. "We respect and admire the passion with which the Habitat for Humanity volunteers do this work to provide lasting homes for people who need them."

The short street that will lead off Hazel and connect the Habitat houses will also have an enduring link to Hamilton.

It will be called Lucy Lane, named after Hamilton's beloved cat.

Hickam said the chance to name the street was offered as an auction item during a fundraiser that took place near the time of Hamilton's death.

His sisters bid on it, bought it and earned the naming right. The Habitat folks then decided to name the entire project after Hamilton.

"In building houses for Habitat, Jim found a home," said one of his sisters, Susan Russell of Helena, Mont.

Since 1991, North Idaho Habitat for Humanity volunteers have helped build 32 homes for people in need of adequate, affordable shelter.

"They're simple, decent homes with one bathroom and no garage," Hickam said.

"Our founder, Millard Fuller, not Jimmy Carter like so many people think, said, 'I love garages, but until everybody has a home, we won't be building garages.'"

Homeowner candidates are selected based on need, their ability to repay an interest-free mortgage and their willingness to dedicate hours of their own "sweat equity" labor alongside Habitat volunteers as the home goes up.

For Carolyn Williams, a single mother of three who works in guest services at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, it's a dream come true.

She'll be moving out of a rented 2-bedroom single-wide mobile home, into a 3-bedroom house.

"I'm tired of sleeping on the couch," Williams said.

The home's proximity to the school her daughter already attends, Lakes Middle School, makes the locale ideal, she said. Her older children will attend Lake City High School.

The 2-bedroom Hamilton Woods home Kathryn French is looking forward to owning sometime next year means adequate room. She works as a mechanic at The Coeur d'Alene Resort's golf course, and now lives in a rented, tiny, 320-square-foot house.

"I'm so excited. I've been taking photos," French said. "I'm just beside myself."