It’s Raining on Kosciusko and it only means a growing budget so that Habitat for Humanity can continue good works for those who need a little boost.

Rain on Kosciusko 2012 is raising funds through online votes and donations of rain barrels that have been sponsored by local businesses and painted by local artists and/or individuals and groups.

Executive Director of Kosciusko County Habitat for Humanity, Christon Clark, says he’s only been in the position a short time, but has already realized a need for even more homes and more donors.

“Kosciusko County has built 16 homes in the last 20 years here,” he says, “but Elkhart County builds about one a month. We should be building 7 to 8 homes a year.”

Since taking over the local Habitat for Humanity operations, Clark has taken every effort to increase donations, which he says are crucial to the program. “Donor money keeps churning for 20 to 25 years because that’s the average mortgage people get,” he explains.

Habitat for Humanity is an organization that uses mostly volunteers to build homes for those in need. There are three criteria that applicants must meet in order to qualify for a new home. There must first be a need, they must have the ability to repay a 20 to 25 year mortgage and they must be willing to partner with Habitat to perform at least 25 hours of labor.

Clark says it’s important for Habitat to keep building homes because it’s the mortgages that help fund more projects. “We are part of Habitat for Humanity International, but no money flows from the so we are completely on our own,” he says. “We do get some grants and we have seven mortgages now that help fund the program, but we need more local community buy-ins.”

One of the efforts to earn more donations that Clark has introduced is the Raining on Kosciusko 2012 initiative. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite barrels online. Each $1 donated represents one vote. The barrel that generates the most in donations will be declared the People’s Choice award winner. So far, Clark says the voting is going well and he’s happy with the community’s support.

At the end of the voting, the barrels will then available online through a silent auction. Each barrel has a tax value of $70 and that is the minimum bid. The amount of each winning bid over $70 is tax deductible as a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, as is any amount done toward the voting of the barrels.

StaceyPageOnline.com was among the sponsors of Rain on Kosciusko 2012. To place your vote, go the Habitat for Humanity website.