Local Raise the Roof event raises money for local family

ELKHART, Ind. -- Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart hosted its first ever Raise the Roof event Thursday at the Northern Indiana Event Center to raise money for features of a new home being built.

Community members raised over $270,000, with all proceeds used to help the Lupe Cortez family pay for home features like doors, door knobs and windows.

The event’s Executive Director, Greg Conrad, emphasized all the hard work that the Cortez family has gone through in order to have their application accepted.

"This house is actually for the Lupe Cortez family, which is a very compelling story and a needy family. Actually, Lupe had gone through the application process of applying to be a part of the Habitat for Humanity program about six months ago. She has worked very hard for this, putting in 200 plus hours of sweat equity,” said Conrad.

Habitat for Humanity also announced a renewed effort to increase the number of homes built each year from six to ten or more.