Building homes, building dreams
<p>A group of 38 participants make good on their pledges to go "Plunging for Pesos" in chilly Lake Coeur d'Alene at City Beach on Saturday morning.</p>
<p>Nearly 40 people charge into the icy lake water during the "Plunging for Pesos" fundraiser at the Coeur d'Alene City Beach on Saturday morning.</p>
<p>From left, Kayne Vitt, Wyatt Holloway, AJ Curson and Breanna Clemans anxiously await to dive into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Saturday morning during the "Plunging for Pesos" pledge fundraiser at City Beach.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The 35-degree waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene were no deterrent to the 38 brave souls who jumped in as part of the "Plunging for Pesos" fundraiser Saturday morning.
More than 100 participants and spectators gathered on City Beach to show their support for the 53 volunteers who have been raising money to build homes in the impoverished city of El Florido, Mexico.
The funds they raise through pledges cover 100 percent of building costs so they can give away completely free houses to individuals and families who are in dire need of a place to call home.
"Imagine someone showed up and built you a house," said volunteer and organizer Stacey Curson. "They're very grateful."
"Plunging for Pesos" was followed by a Mexican fiesta fundraiser in the evening. Curson said Friday the group was about $5,000 away from its goal of $8,400, which is the amount needed to build two houses that are 16-by-20 feet each.
"It's a mansion," she said. "People don't live like that there. They can't afford to."
The volunteers work with with NorthWest Outreaches, Inc., to connect with the families in Mexico and verify they own the land and qualify for the homes. Curson said this year they will be building two houses for single-mom sisters with several children who have been sharing a small living space.
Curson, of Dalton Gardens, and her husband Rick began the program in 1989 when they went on a similar trip with a church group in Oregon. They found it to be easy and worth their time and effort, so they organized their own yearly missions. The Cursons, their children and a group of about 50 make the trek to the same area each year to continue the construction. They've made friends with the locals and have had a positive impact on the community.
"It's so fun. I just can't stop smiling," Stacey said. "We love it."
Stacey said the group, which has returning as well as new members each year, has built more than 20 houses in 25 years. They have also maintained and expanded the compound where they stay, adding toilets and hot showers within the last five years.
"It's been a great legacy to leave to our kids," Stacey said.
And their kids have been actively involved as well. Their daughter Dani, 24, made her first trip when she was three months old. It will be her 25th trip when the group heads out March 28 to April 6.
"We thought, 'We have to open this up to anybody,'" Stacey said. "It's unique ... you can take any age. Any age is welcome."
The trip costs $275 per person or $800 per six-member family for food, gas and lodging. The costs are low because the volunteers drive in vans rather than fly. Stacey said members from 14 different churches are traveling this year, as well as ages ranging from toddler to senior.
"If you have a pulse, you can go," she said. "There's such a purpose for everybody who goes."
For information, email Stacey at totallygraced@yahoo.com or visit www.nwoutreaches.org