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Habitat for Humanity of Madison County is close to finishing their second house. With extra help over the next three Saturdays, they hope to get the family in their new home by Christmas.
"There are just a lot of odds and ends left that we could really use help with," said Don Swonger, Habitat board member and building committee chairman.
The four-bedroom, 1,200 square-foot home is located at 30 Stewart Ave. in London. For the last two years, groups of four or more Habitat volunteers have dedicated their Saturdays to the project.
Those workers have included the family that will move into the home—Brian and Jennifer White of London and their children Damien, Page and Zack. Habitat families are required to work at least 500 hours on their homes. The Whites have put in over 700 hours.
"They started working about the time we started drywalling, and they’ve pretty much been with us ever since," Swonger said.
The Whites have helped to hang, spackle and finish drywall, paint, install trim, hang cabinets, run electricity, install flooring, and work on the porches.
Extra volunteers are needed to complete projects inside and out, including: installation of a chain link fence; shed repairs, siding and roofing; and installation of steps and railings on the porches.
Inside, the to-do list includes: trouble-shooting the electric, installing drain lines and faucets; building and hanging doors; touching up paint; finishing trim work; and cleaning.
Volunteers who are at least 18 years of age are needed anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 at the house. Volunteers can help for one or two hours or all day.
Habitat for Humanity also is looking for people to serve on committees for future home-building projects. The time commitment is completely up to the volunteer. One specific need involves the organization’s aluminum can recycling fundraiser. People are needed to organize collection areas around the county and to haul cans to a central location in London.
Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Participating families are responsible for a mortgage that covers the market value of the house with a no-interest loan.
Habitat has built more than 225,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with shelter. Millard and Linda Fuller founded the organization in 1976.
The first home that Habitat for Humanity of Madison County completed is located on Vernon Avenue in London. It is similar in size and amenities to the home now in progress. Both have one-car detached garages. Habitat plans do not require garages, but the City of London’s zoning code does.
To volunteer to help with completion of the home on Stewart Avenue, call Don Swonger at 740-852-0392 or 614-562-1172.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity International, go to www.habitat.org.
