Jerry Phelps knew he was going to be emotional last week when Door County Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 43rd home because as he put it, he always is on dedication day. Phelps served as a volunteer building the home as a member of the Americorps VISTA program. VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America and the organization has partnered with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Wisconsin to help others while building on their own skills for their career. It was the 31st dedication Phelps was a part of after previously serving with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Durham, North Carolina. Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Phelps told the crowd that the number of houses an affiliate builds in a year does not make or break an organization.

Executive Director Lori Allen honored Phelps for all the help and guidance he was able to provide during what was a challenging build year.

Allen said she is hoping to raise enough money and recruit enough volunteers to hopefully start building multiple homes a year.