Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County is dedicating its third home and invites the pubic to attend the dedication ceremony.
The house is located at 400 E. 17th. The dedication ceremony will be held across the street in Massey Park, 17th and Allen, in the shelter house at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
“We’re inviting people to come and meet our new homeowner,” said Louise Reese, one of the event organizers.
Those attending will be able to view slides showing the various stages of the house building, as well as current pictures of the home’s interior, Reese said. Refreshments will be served. The Rev. Debra Harvey of WaKeeney, a friend of the homeowner, will officiate at the dedication ceremony.
Habitat for Humanity is an international Christian ministry that builds decent, affordable housing for those in need. The organization does not give away homes. Homeowners must meet income requirements and must be able to make a monthly mortgage payment on a no-interest loan that is held by the local Habitat chapter. Selected homeowners must also put in a required number of “sweat equity hours” volunteering with the organization.
The first home that Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County built was in Ellis. The second was in Hays at 402 E. 17th, next door to this, the third home. The last two homes were built on lots donated to the chapter by the city of Hays.
The closing on the third home was Jan. 4, so the homeowner has been in her home for several months. The chapter decided to wait until warmer weather to have the house dedication, Reese said.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the chapter’s ReStore, located at the south end of The Mall. The ReStore sells used furniture and appliances and new and used building materials, including doors and windows.
The local Habitat chapter is staffed entirely by volunteers. Linn Ann Huntington, chapter co-president, said building codes require that licensed professionals do some of the work on a home. “The chapter tries to work with local firms, and most of those give us a price break,” she said.
“But volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. We wouldn’t be able to build our homes without them,” Huntington said. “We especially want to invite any and all volunteers who worked on this house to come to the dedication ceremony. That includes anyone who provided food for those volunteers, those who volunteer at the ReStore, and those who help with our monthly bingo nights. All the money that we raise goes back into our homes. Please come see the home that you helped build.”
More information about Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County can be found at www.habitatelliscounty.org/.