Couple Surprises Habitat With Gift of Entire Home

We’re back with another edition of Good News Tues to spread a little joy from our Habitat family to yours. We’re all in this together. Here’s hoping this brings a little light to your day. 

Couple Surprises Habitat With Gift of Entire Home

During this season of giving, so many are doing what they can to help others in their communities. A River Hills family surprised us this season by donating their entire $600k mansion to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. Denise and Gary Elfe found out about Milwaukee Habitat’s home donation program through our newsletter. However, as the couple was cleaning out the home to put it on the market, Denise took down a painting that had been left by the previous owner. The painting had been on the wall for the last 15 years they’d lived there. To her surprise, she found a small charm that had been hidden behind the painting. The charm read “Bless this House” on one side and on the other: “Habitat for Humanity.” It was at this moment she knew what to do. Watch Denise’s reaction to finding the charm in this story by WISN (above).

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity accepts tax-deductible donations of real estate and resells them on the open market to raise funds for their work to build safe, affordable homes in the city. Typically properties are lightly remodeled by Habitat staff and volunteers, and then resold. However, in this case the mansion was listed right away and sold in just 17 days. After closing costs, taxes, and legal fees the sale amounted to a $550k donation to help Milwaukee families in need of safe, affordable housing.

Milwaukee Habitat staff were surprised and humbled by this extraordinary showing of generosity. At a time when it’s more important than ever, Denise and Gary Elfe are helping local families who need a safe, affordable home for the holidays.