Children awoke to a Christmas morning surprise in the Founders Park neighborhood of the  Billings Heights. The subdivision received a Little Free Library, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Yellowstone valley.

According to the press release, roughly 30 Little Free Libraries have been installed in Billings and more than 100,000 worldwide. The books were wrapped with care and placed into the tiny library box on Christmas Eve for the whole neighborhood to enjoy on Christmas morning. The purpose behind Little Free Libraries is to promote the joys of reading. Take a book and share a book, so the community can easily access books to enjoy. A long-time volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Mark Dickaut, handcrafted the newest Little Free Library installment. 

Habitat for Humanity is an all-inclusive Christian housing ministry building homes for partnerships with low-income families. Other partnerships from groups, churches, companies, and individuals in an effort to help the low-income housing issue in the community. Families must put in a minimum of 350 hours of sweat equity labor, helping to build their homes and others. Additionally, adults must attend a certain number of hours in financial literacy and homeownership classes. Once complete, they purchase the home Habitat for Humanity, using a 0% mortgage. 

Families must be living in inadequate housing to be considered. Qualifications are based on the need and stability in the community, as well as a willingness to partner and can make a home payment of roughly 800 dollars a month. The housing program has put more than 200 children in stable, safe, and affordable housing. Since the founding of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Yellowstone Valley in 1992, it has provided a reliable contributor to low-income housing in the area.

Thanks to the help of Mark, Habitat for Humanity is proud to present the Little Free Library to the Founders Park Subdivision. For those interested in volunteering, call 406-652-0960.