Starfish 2 project holds open house, ice cream social

In 2023, a group of concerned friends and neighbors in Northfield became concerned that some community members were being shut out of the housing market, unable to purchase their own homes.

That group grew to over 100 hundred volunteers who put in 2,500 hours of labor over nine months to restore a home on the west side of town for a deserving family. Many not only donated labor, but also donated money and materials.

The Starfish Initiative was born.

Starfish, which derives its name from the Loren Eisley story “The Starfish Thrower” whose moral is to “make a difference to one,” has since partnered with Rice County Habitat for Humanity. That relationship was solidified in December 2023.

“We were extremely frugal in our renovations,” said Bob Thacker, a local volunteer. “We reused existing materials whenever possible, to create a home that was as beautiful as possible while spending as little money as possible.”

The group was able to restore a home for dramatically less than the cost of new construction, explained Thacker. “An abandoned house became a pristine beauty and improved neighbors’ property values.”

Now, a family from Guatemala has been chosen to live in the next Starfish 2 home located at 2007 Hidden Valley Road. An open house was held there on June 11. Community members toured the home while enjoying ice cream bars.

In each room of the home were signs stating what renovations still needed to be funded and how much that repair or item would cost.

“The goal for the home is to raise $50,000 to cover all renovation expenses,” said Thacker. Even a small donation can cover the cost of a gallon of paint or a sheet of drywall. Gifts both large and small will be welcomed, he said.

Jodi Wagner, community engagement director at Habitat for Humanity, said that home ownership can change the trajectory of a family’s life. “We build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter,” she said.

Mike Leming, a member of Northfield Rotary Club, said he was contributing dollars to the Starfish 2 project for the kitchen and water heater. At a recent Rotary Club meeting, Leming offered to match contributions that go toward the bathroom and laundry room remodeling.