Family and friends volunteer (again) to build in honor of Jim

When Jim Baller passed away he left a large hole in the hearts of some very dedicated and hardworking friends and family members – including his wife Charleen. Jim was a man of many talents who often gave his time to help build with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Before his death in 2010, he had dreamed of bringing his family and friends together to build a Habitat home. Two years later, Charleen is keeping that dream alive.

In 2011, Charleen organize and sponsored an entire week of work on a Habitat home in West St. Paul. Jim’s children, his parents, siblings, extended family, co-workers and friends all came together on one of the most inspiring Twin Cities Habitat projects of the year. It was a moving moment when they took a break from their work to remembered Jim on their final build day.

But, for Charleen, that was just the beginning. She repeated her amazingly generous gift of time and money this year by bringing those loved ones back together to work for a week on a Habitat home on Case Avenue in St. Paul.

The Baller volunteers worked diligently painting, insulating and shingling. They even built and painted a white picket fence. Now, for the second time, a low-income family will move into a home thanks to the legacy of Jim and the work of his many loved ones. 

The volunteers marked what would have been Jim’s 58^th birthday on the site. They shared stories, memories and DQ treats.

Charleen wrote a letter to everyone who participated this year and closed it this way:

It means so much to our family to be able to keep the memory of Jim alive, say Jim’s name and talk about Jim, his talent and his giving heart. Sharing our memories of Jim and our lives together which are so special to us.  We want to keep that alive not only at Habitat but in our daily lives.   

I hope to see you all again next year.
Love All Around
The Jim Baller family,
Charleen, Jakob, Jill, Nathan and Nick

If the mission of Twin Cities Habitat is important to you and your loved ones, and you want to do something similar to what the Baller family is doing, please email kate.loe@tchabitat.org.