Admirals join Habitat for 'un-builds,' to prevent reusable features from ending up in dumpster
MILWAUKEE -- Habitat for Humanity is probably best known for building homes -- not tearing them down. But a division of the non-profit organization is picking apart homes to prevent reusable features from ending up in the landfill -- and they had help from the Milwaukee Admirals.
There's a big different between demolition and deconstruction.
"When we see a dumpster, we know an opportunity was lost," Ken Gear with Habitat for Humanity said.
Habitat for Humanity is now in the salvage business. Before the bulldozers roll in, a deconstruction crew gets to work.
"This whole property is coming down, and the owners were generous enough to let us salvage the usable material before it goes down," Jake Brandt with Habitat for Humanity said.
Doors, windows, flooring, copper piping -- if there's life left in it, Habitat for Humanity officials will wrap it up and re-sell it.
Admirals team up with Habitat volunteers to salvage construction materials for re-sale
"We price pennies on the dollar. So we would rather get something out and sell it for somebody who could use it than see it in a landfill," Gear said.
At an "un-build" on Tuesday, November 3rd, Habitat for Humanity officials had some help from the Milwaukee Admirals hockey team -- part of a season-long partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
"Doing something different, right!? They don't mind signing autographs. They love to sign autographs but we do a lot of that!" Charlie Larson, VP of communications for the Milwaukee Admirals said.
And believe it or not, being a winger and handling a hockey stick doesn't exactly translate to wielding a crow bar.
Admirals team up with Habitat volunteers to salvage construction materials for re-sale
"I think our team is pretty young. I think this is the most manual labor the guys have done besides play hockey -- but it's all in good fun and for a good cause," Cody Bass, center right wing for the Admirals said.
You might be surprised how uplifting it is to break something down.
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity operates two "ReStore" locations -- one in Wauwatosa, and another in Milwaukee's Fifth Ward.
Admirals team up with Habitat volunteers to salvage construction materials for re-sale