Posted: 10.06.2011

For the second year, employees of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are raising funds and volunteering and raising funds to help Habitat for Humanity in memory of the late Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.

“Rod set a wonderful example of giving back and living a life of service,” said Dr. Beth Patton, who is leading the effort along with Michelle Zelle. “We’re honoring his memory by trying to follow in his footsteps.”

The employees raised $1,600 to provide building supplies for one day’s work on a Habitat for Humanity of Dane County building site, and will volunteer their time on Saturday, Oct. 8. They will be working on homes in an eight-home development, Northport Commons, on the north side of Madison. The primary fundraising methods have been luncheon fundraisers and free will offerings.

Nilsestuen died in a drowning accident in July 2010 while in northern Michigan volunteering for Habitat for Humanity with his wife, Carol, and a church group. She also died earlier this year.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 to provide “simple, decent, affordable” housing. Recipients undergo a stringent application process, contribute 300-400 hours of time on their own home or other Habitat projects, and take out an interest-free mortgage, held by Habitat. The homeowners’ “sweat equity,” use of volunteer labor, and Habitat’s non-profit home sales make the homes affordable to lower-income families.

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