A partnership between  local businesses is helping to light up downtown Great Bend this Christmas and for Christmases to come, and earn money for Habitat for Humanity at the same time.
Wheatland Electric has joined with Habitat and Brentwood Builders on the fund-raising project.
“The City of Great Bend purchased some permanent Christmas lights to be installed atop all the storefronts surrounding the courthouse square,” Brentwood Builders owner Andy Mingenback said. “Normally, they would contract the installation out to a for-profit business, but instead they’ve given the opportunity to Habitat for Humanity.”
Brentwood Builders got the contract from the city, but is opting to donated the money from the project to Habitat.
Habitat for Humanity was able to recruit a handful of volunteers each day from the Nov. 11-14 to complete this tedious installation project. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of Brentwood Builders and Wheatland Electric, though,” said Habitat board member Matt Hiss. “We don’t have the equipment or the tools necessary to take on a job like this, so that’s where Wheatland stepped in. Their bucket truck crews were a huge help.”
In all, about 6,000 feet of plastic tracks and lights are being installed.
The funds raised through the Christmas lights installation project will go to the non-profit organization’s building fund. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Habitat for Humanity partner family or volunteer should email habitatbartoncounty@hotmail.com or find Habitat on Facebook.