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| CARTOON - July 27, 2010 |
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| EDITORIAL - July 27, 2010 |
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| Nothing but winners with Habitat For Humanity |
Leader Staff
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There are absolutely no losers and nothing but winners when it comes to Habitat For Humanity.
After two years of hard work, planning and organizing, ground was broken early last week, officially kicking off construction of the new duplex in Barrhead’s Coronet subdivision, which will become home to two lucky families from this area in the coming months.
"Ladies and gentleman, we are ready to build," said project leader Steve Lyster, before a large gathering of supporters that included Habitat For Humanity Edmonton president and CEO Alfred Nikolai, who along with head office staff, helped Lyster and his team of dedicated volunteers make their dream come true.
The process to select the two lucky families who will be chosen to become new home owners because of Habitat For Humanity, began Monday night with interviews at the Blue Heron Support Services offices in downtown Barrhead.
With construction expected to begin within days, Lyster said the goal to complete construction on the new building two weeks before Christmas remains in place.
"What a great Christmas present," said Lyster.
No kidding. Since its started in the Deep South of the United States more than 30 years ago, Habitat For Humanity has become a juggernaut of success as thousands of homes have been built around the world, allowing hard-working people across the planet to access the dream of owning their own home.
There are now 101 countries spread around the world who are involved in building Habitat For Humanity homes. Since day one, the idea behind Habitat For Humanity was to provide housing to people who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Using the principle of "sweat equity" the people selected to own these homes are asked to join a small army of volunteers to help build.
This is no handout. Those selected are not only asked to help build their own homes, but they have to carry and pay back an affordable mortgage, pay taxes and all the other bills that come with home ownership.
Barrhead is a very giving and caring community and the support for the first-ever Habitat For Humanity project has been overwhelming.
Regular citizens have donated tens of thousands of dollars and dozens of businesses have either donated services in-kind or chipped in with generous cash donations.
The local Habitat For Humanity committee, which has more than a dozen members, has worked tirelessly for two long years to ensure this project proceeds and two lucky families will have their lives forever altered in a positive way.
Every one of them deserves credit and thanks for a job well done.
Once construction does begin, it will surprise no one that a small army of volunteers will be on 59th Avenue each and every day until the duplex is completed five months down the road.
Considering the amount of community support and goodwill generated by the first Habitat For Humanity home built in Barrhead, there’s little doubt this is the beginning of good things to come with many more families to benefit in the years to come.
People volunteer their services out of a sense of community spirit and to help others and don’t look for a slap on the back or constant praise, but in this case, everyone involved deserves a sincere thank you for a job well done. |
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