We watched with a heavy heart as Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore on the corner of Chisholm Street and 5th Avenue burned to the ground during a 12-hour firefight on Sunday, but we know that won’t be the last we hear of Habitat’s efforts to provide affordable housewares to Northeast Michiganders.

As you learned on Monday’s front page, the fire reported shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday wasn’t fully extinguished until after 6 p.m. The building where Habitat not only offered used and new housewares but also stored its building materials for Habitat homes was completely destroyed.

Dozens of firefighters from Alpena and Alpena Township fought bravely for a full day. There was no saving the building, but crews kept the fire from spreading beyond the corner. Two firefighters received non-life-threatening injuries in the battle, treated and released from MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena on Sunday. Our hearts are with them and we pray for speedy recoveries.

Ted Fines, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan, vowed even as his building still burned that Habitat would continue operations.

But, Fines said, “It’s gonna take a lot of hard work, and a lot of people.”

There’s no doubt about that.

But there’s also no doubt that Northeast Michiganders are among the most giving people on the planet, and we are sure this community will step up to give Habitat what it needs to reopen and continue serving our neighbors who need a helping hand getting their piece of the American dream.

We encourage anyone who can to donate to the effort, either in money or time or other resources.

And please join us in praying for our friends at Habitat.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)