From an Empty Lot to a Forever Home: Habitat for Humanity Completes 36th House in Fond du Lac

Back in April, I met with Kathy Strong Langolf, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County, at 467 Walker Street in Fond du Lac. At the time, there wasn’t much to see. It was an empty lot where a floral shop once stood. Kathy told me about the plans Habitat had for the property and the family that would eventually call it home.

Fast forward through the spring and summer, and it’s pretty incredible to see what has happened there. I recently had the chance to come back and tour the finished house, and I was blown away by how far it had come in just a few months. What was an empty lot in April is now a completed home for the Buechel family. It took a lot of people, businesses, volunteers and donated time to make it happen.

This is officially the 36th house completed by Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County. The City of Fond du Lac donated the lot, and the home was built with help from Mason Steffes of Signature Homes by Adashun Jones and builder Tim Bell. Alliant Energy, Aurora Healthcare, Fox Valley Savings Bank, SSM Healthcare and many other local companies helped through sponsorships, materials, labor and discounted services.

Now the community gets a chance to see the finished project. Habitat for Humanity is holding a Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 26 from 11 AM to noon at 467 Walker Street in Fond du Lac. An open house will follow until 1 PM. Everyone is invited to tour the new home and help welcome the Buechel family.

Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County has been around since 1996 and has built homes in Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Malone and Ripon. Their program is designed as a hand-up rather than a hand-out. Partner families put in hundreds of hours of sweat equity working on Habitat homes and helping the organization, along with making a down payment toward their mortgage.

Seeing this project go from an empty lot in April to a finished home just a few months later really puts into perspective how much can get done when a community comes together. Congratulations to the Buechel family, Kathy, Habitat for Humanity and every volunteer, business and organization that helped make house #36 happen. And they aren't stopping here. Plans are already underway for Habitat's next Fond du Lac County house build in 2027.