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A Habitat Home For Christmas��

Thursday, December 29, 2011

There is only thing this family wanted for Christmas, a home. This gift wouldn’t fit on Santa’s sleigh, so Habitat had to call on Santa’s helpers. The support and volunteers came in droves to finish this home in time for the holidays.
Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County celebrated the construction of its 93rd home at a dedication ceremony Friday, December 16, 2011, in Lacoochee. The new homeowners, the Clements’ family thanked all those who worked so hard to help them reach this goal. Angel, 4 years old, stole the show. Angel asked for the microphone and said “Welcome to my new home.”
This home was built by many Habitat volunteers. A Habitat Learn and Build group started the home on June 27, these were high school students from all over the country. St. Leo AST Sorority volunteered several weekends and continue to volunteer on a regular basis. Boy Scouts volunteered in September. Harborside Christian Church, this church builds and donates the framing/wall panels to Habitat, came out to put those walls up. St. Leo University Softball Team, St. Leo Lacrosse Team, and St. Leo Golf Team all volunteered several weekends on this home. Wesley Chapel Toyota/Honda brought a team out to volunteer, and many others donated their time and talents.
The Clements family completed their required “sweat equity - 400 volunteer hours,” a piece of the Habitat for Humanity program mandatory in order to purchase the home.
Jeanie Germain, Habitat Board Chair, presided over the Home Dedication Ceremony and offered the Clements family prayer, symbolic gifts, and a Bible. The East Pasco Quilters gave the new homeowners a beautiful handmade quilt.
Eric Johnson from Wesley Chapel Toyota/Honda presented Jaclyn Clements with the key to her new home. Johnson may have handed someone the key to a new car previously, but this was a first for him with the key for a home. Eric worked on this home as a Habitat volunteer and was grateful for the opportunity to play a role in the Habitat dedication.
At the end of the ceremony, the Clements family cut the ribbon that hung across the doorway and invited supporters inside for a tour of the home and Christmas cookies.
The Clements family found other Christmas surprises when they entered their home, an anonymous donor donated bedroom furniture for Jaclyn’s daughter, Angel. Atlas Insurance Company of Dade City donated new comforters, sheets, pillows for the child’s room.
The Tampa Bay Tootsies from Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club donated other household items for the kitchen and bath. The East Pasco Quilters and others donated pantry items. The Habitat ReStore donated a Christmas wreath and set of coffee mugs with a Christmas theme. It will be a Christmas this family will always remember.
Through donations of money, materials, and volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco was able to build the home and sell it at an affordable price. The Clements family purchased the home with a no-profit loan, and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat houses.
About Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County
Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County will complete their 100th home in May 2012. Habitat accepts applications for homes year round. For more information, visit www.habitatpasco.org or call (352)567-1444.