HABITAT HELPER Posted: Thursday, July 3, 2008 12:10 pm
The Messenger. 07.03.08 Jimmy Gray (forefront), local businessman and brickmason, donated the block work for the 34th Obion County Habitat for Humanity home being built this summer in Union City. First United Methodist Church in Union City is sponsoring the home by providing volunteer labor for a family from their congregation, Rick and Renee Dillon and their sons. The Dillons and their family members have been laboring with their church family on the project for the past three Saturdays, but everyone involved will be taking a break Saturday in celebration of the holiday. Work will resume July 12 and volunteers are always welcome, whether they are part of the congregation at First United Methodist or not. Gray, who is a faithful member, has also been present for volunteer duty on Saturdays. Habitat contractor Paul Pitts (at left) has worked on several of Habitat for Humanity’s other homes in the area. Other workers this past week included Mrs. Dillon (preparing to climb the ladder), her sister, Crystal Edgar; and church member Dr. Larry Buckles. Church members are also supplying morning and noon meals for volunteers on the project. Judy Underwood, affiliate coordinator for Obion County Habitat for Humanity, says the Dillon family has often expressed their feeling that God has blessed them abundantly with a wonderful church family and that He has been so good to them. She adds, “I am a personal witness, too, as to how God provides for families in need. Sometimes when I do not have a clue how things might get accomplished, the Lord sends us someone.” Families who qualify for Habitat housing pledge to spend so many hours of “sweat equity” on their own homes and future Habitat projects. The cost of the homes they are able to purchase is less than it would normally be because so much of the labor is donated by volunteers, including the family themselves, and because property and materials have often been donated for the construction. In addition, Habitat seeks no profit on the sale of the houses and works with the family to build a home they can afford. The Dillons’ home will include four bedrooms to accommodate their family and will be a welcome addition to their new neighborhood, since Habitat’s goal is always to build a home that is the nicest in the area. |
