Published: November 25, 2009 12:55 pm      

Habitat marks 13 years, 44 houses

Since the founding of Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity 13 years ago, 44 houses have been built for families in need.  John Zanichelli, has accepted the position of president for the coming year — he will be the organization's tenth president.  

He was born and reared in Detroit, MI. He served four years in the USAF from 1966-1970, achieving the rank of staff sergeant as a jet mechanic. He began his career at United Parcel Service  (UPS) in 1970 and worked in the automotive department. Promoted into management in 1976, he transferred to Atlanta, GA in 1978 and later to Chicago, IL in 1985. He retired in 2001, after 32 years with the company. John and his wife, Mary, moved to Fairfield Glade in August, 2001. They have two sons and a daughter with one grandchild. They are active members of Fairfield Glade Community Church. He began volunteering with Habitat's selection committee in 2002; he was chairperson 2004-2006. He served on the board of directors as vice-president  in 2006, taking leave then because of family illness.

There are three new members on the board: Anne Grove, Bill Andrews and Donna Swersky.

Anne  Grove in her own words: "Jim and I have been married 44 years. We have two children, both living in Louisville, KY, with their families. We are members of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. What a blessing moving to this area has been for us. We have been residents in the Glade for 31/2 years, moving from northern Illinois. Retiring as an elementary teacher, I then became a teacher and administrator with the Head Start program. Working for Head Start, I saw the need for adequate housing for our families. In 2000, we began the process of getting an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in Ogle County, IL, achieving that in 2002. I served on the Habitat Board of Directors' selection committee until we moved to Tennessee. Upon moving, we became active with Habitat in Cumberland County, serving on the partnership committee. I volunteer in the office, and Jim volunteers in building at the home sites."

Bill Andrews in his own words: "Formerly from West Bloomfield, MI, I was employed with Ford Motor company for 40-plus years. I volunteered with the Big Brother program and served as a mentor to youth from single parent homes in the Detroit area. I was active in the youth program in my church in Michigan and enjoyed traveling abroad. My wife, Denise, and I came to Fairfield Glade six years ago for Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's and fell in love with the area. We loved the area so much that we purchased a home four days later. I was still employed at the time, but a year later we retired and moved to our home in the Glade. We have four children, three of adult age and one child, who is a freshman at Kings Academy in Sevierville, TN. Denise is teaching at Crossville Christian School. We are members of Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church. Since retiring, I enjoy golfing and daily runs with my two dogs. I am active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Glade Volunteer Fire Department. I look forward to working with more churches in Cumberland County to do the Lord's work of providing suitable housing for God's children."

Donna Swersky in her own words: "I was born in Ypsilanti, MI, but lived mostly in Dexter, MI. I have four children...two boys, two girls, four grandchildren and another one on the way. My love of travel is mostly fulfilled in trips to Michigan, New York, Virginia and Florida to see all of the above mentioned. I also enjoy day trips with a group from Fair Park Senior Center. After my husband retired, we moved to Bradenton, FL. As we traveled back and forth from Florida to Michigan for the summers, I worked at a golf course in Michigan, and that is where I learned the game of golf. This was one of the attractions for moving to Fairfield Glade, the other being wonderful weather and small town atnosphere.  My background is accounting, and in Michigan I worked for a company that built comnputer test stands for every transmission made by the "Big Three" auto makers. Not being able to get away from my love of numbers, while in Florida, I was treasurer for the condo association where I lived and also the church I attended. I first volunteered with Habitat as a representative from my church in Florida. Here with CCHFH I am a cashier in the Home Store. Habitat does such wonderful things for needy people." 

Other current Board members are the following: Vice-President Elect Bert Adams, Vice-President Larry Henson, Secretary Judi Flinn, Assistant Secretary Lois Viening, Treasurer Pearl McClain, Assistant Treasurer Jim Cunningham, Assistant Treasurer Donna Swersky, Asssistant Treasurer John McClain, Director At Large Nan Sharp, Director At Large Sarah Baisley, Director at Large Anne Grove. All have a vote.

Operating committee chairpersons report to the board on the work of their volunteers: building, Gene Taylor; family partnership, Jean Clark; family selection, Barbara Krueger; fundraising, Nan Sharp (Church Relations Co-Chairs Willard Dale and Bill Andrews; public relations/nominating, June Frazier); Home Store, Barbara Dahar; human resources, Bert Adams; site selection and development, Dewey Peterson; devoted development, Pat Wiedemann.

Staff members are Jolynn Huling, volunteer coordinator; Jen Knaebel, administrative assistant/Home Store manager; Melinda Weigle, executive director; Pat Wiedemann, development director.