CARTHAGE, Mo. — Every human being is entitled to a roof over his or her head. It’s even better if it’s your own roof. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to that principle.

McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital is furthering that goal with a Habitat for Humanity fund-raiser that starts today with a silent auction. Auction items are on display in the hospital lobby.

The silent auction continues throughout the week, ending at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Donated items thus far include a homemade quilt, and baskets of gifts based on the themes of snowmen, a night at the movies, Bob the Builder, and serenity and relaxation. People may call (417) 359-1956 for details on where to take auction items.

The fund-raiser will be augmented Friday with a chili cook-off and then a chili and soup feed in the hospital’s community room. The cook-off will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is a $10 entry fee. First- and second-place prizes will be awarded in the categories of tastiest, spiciest and best chili presentation — so you have six opportunities to go home a winner.

The chili or soup feed will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children for chili or soup, a cookie and drink. Takeouts by the quart will be available as well.

“I think it’s going to be a really good event,” said Connie Mosbaugh, director of the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity chapter, which is building a new home in Carthage for Lori Byrd and her five children.

“We’re still working on getting the Sheetrock up,” Mosbaugh said. “We’re trying to get it enclosed so we can get the heat in and continue working on it through the winter.”

Byrd, who is employed at McCune-Brooks, has committed 200 hours to work on the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house as a work partner.

Funds have to be in hand before a Habitat home is started, and the land must be donated. Wells Fargo Housing Foundation contributed $10,000 toward the building, but Mosbaugh said the chapter wasn’t prepared for recent increases in the cost of building materials. More funds are needed; hence, the fund-raiser.

Pam Barlet, public relations director for McCune-Brooks, said Southwest Missouri Bank has volunteered to match all funds raised up to $1,000.

“So every dollar raised will mean $2,” she said.

Hopes are that Byrd and her children can occupy their new home by March, if not before, Mosbaugh said.

Meanwhile, Carthage Health and Rehabilitation Center, 1901 S. Buena Vista Ave., is offering a nice service to Carthage residents on Wednesday. Any senior citizen who has difficulty wrapping Christmas presents may take them to the center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and they will be wrapped for free!