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Habitat Home Is Dream Come True
May 23, 2010
An army of volunteers descended on Nokomis Saturday morning as the 17th Escambia County Habitat for Humanity home began to take shape.
Construction workers, teachers, bankers, business owners, high school students, ordinary people — about 85 people from all walks of life were all there volunteering their time and skills to make Jennifer Dorriety’s dream of home ownership a reality.
Construction on the home started Friday. By the “lunch break” call Saturday, walls were up, the floor and roof trusses were nearly complete.
“It was amazing, just breathtaking this morning to see it; I never expected to see this much done in one day,” Dorriety said as she helped to work on the home that will be ready for her and her 13-year old daughter Kaylee to occupy in about a month. “I just really appreciate the volunteers that are out here working so hard. It’s a dream come true.”
Many of the volunteers, like Brittany Thompson, 16, had never had in part in building a house.
“I’m here because I wanted to help the people,” said Thompson, one of 14 students from Northview High School that spent part of their Saturday working on the two bedroom home. “They never had a home of their own, and the home they are living in now is falling apart.”
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity build, click here.
“We have been pleased with the volunteer turnout and the financial support from different companies and groups”, said Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize. A long list of sponsors provided at least $500 in “groundbreaking” support and committed to at least 100 volunteer hours.
Houses constructed by the non-profit Habitat group are not free for recipients like Dorriety. The homes are sold to families at cost — there’s no profit for Habitat. The 20 year mortgages are at zero percent interest, providing much needed savings for those are unable to afford a conventional mortgage. And new homeowners are required to invest 400 “sweat equity” hours working for Habitat.
Dorriety’s new home will continue to save her money for years to come, Glaize said. It incorporates many “green” and sustainable features, like Hardiplank siding, a composite concrete and wood fiber board; bamboo flooring and a long list of energy efficiency features.
The Nokomis Habitat build was a change for the group that has constructed 16 homes in Brewton. It’s the first outside of Brewton, the first in a rural area, the first on a raised foundation, and the first on the future homeowner’s land. But it won’t be the last; plans are underway for an additional home near Atmore.
Volunteers are still needed to help build the home at 118 Johnson Road in Nokomis. Additional work days are scheduled for Sunday, May 23; Friday, May 28; Saturday, May 29; Saturday, June 5 and Saturday, June 12.
“It’s fun to help and advance the Kingdom of God,” said volunteer Shinora Redmond from Alto Products, one of Habitat’s sponsors for the Nokomis home.
For more information about Escambia County Habitat for Humanity, or to learn how to help build Dorriety’s home, visit www.escambiahfh.org.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity build, click here.
Pictured top: Volunteers work to construct a house for Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Saturday morning Nokomis. Pictured inset: Future resident Jennifer Dorriety. Picture below: Northview High School construction technology teacher Tom Meehan lends a helping hand. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Habitat Home Is Dream Come True”
I would like to say “Thank You” for all of the support and hard work by each and every volunteer, because of Habitat and the willingness of the surrounding communities and businesses, this is a dream come true! God Bless You All, you are greatly appreciated!
God bless all the kids and adults who went to help this woman and her kid. Please continue passing on the blessing of good deeds. If you can manage come out to help these KIDS that are doing their parts. Remember if a kid can do it then you can too.
William’s coverage is perfect. I brought NO skills to the habitat house but went right to work. I worked with others from different states, backgrounds, ages, abilities, and including Jennifer. Jennifer’s work ethic and strength is incredible. I encourage more Northescambians to come out next weekend and donate 4 hours. Together we can build a house!
The good people can do for each other…pass it on…
Praise the Lord for all the volunteers and Habitant for Humanity for making Ms. Dorriety and Kaylee very happy people. It is good news to see this happening as we see mostly bad things happening. William, please keep us up to date on the progress.
It’s an awesome thing to be a part of. Habitat will be working on the house the next several weekends. Come help us out if you would like. All of the info. is on the website as stated above.
This is a really refreshing article! After all the bad news reports from around the world,it is so nice to read an uplifting story like this. Congratulations to Ms. Dorriety.
What a great story to wake up to on a beautiful Sunday morning……………………….