Reprinted by permission of The Greenville Advocate
November 6, 2007
Ten months ago, Vickie Stone placed her foot on a shovel at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bond County Habitat for Humanity's fourth home.
Saturday morning (Nov. 3rd), she accepted the keys to her new home in the 400 block of North Fourth Street in Greenville.
The house blessing ceremony and open house on Saturday was the
culmination of a joint project between the Habitat for Humanity
chapter, Greenville College, and the Free Methodist churches of
Greenville and Hillsboro.
Members of the Habitat for Humanity board presented Stone with a Bible,
and then Dr. James Mannoia, president of Greenville College, handed
over the keys to the home to her.
Dr. Joe Columber, chairman of the volunteer committee, presented the
chapter a symbolic, large check in the amount of $30,274.04,
representing the amount provided by the college and churches.
It was a joyous and emotional occasion for Stone, who is employed as a
custodian at Greenville College. She came to Greenville in May of 2005
after her husband died while they were living in Reno, Nevada. She was
urged by members of her family to come to Greenville.
Standing in the kitchen of her new home after most of the visitors had
left Saturday morning, Stone reflected, "The only thing I wish was I
could share this with my husband. His dream was for us to get a new
home."
Habitat for Humanity homes are not just given to individuals. The
person and family selected by the chapter commits to provide "sweat
equity" in the construction of the house, and also makes a monthly
payment, without interest.
Dave Trover, chairman of the Habitat for Humanity chapter, said the
home is not being given away, but is being purchased. "This is a hand
up, not a hand out," he commented.
Many volunteers were involved this past year in the construction of the
home. Stone said some of the work she did included placing tornado
clips on the walls to hold the roof down, grouting the floor, and
painting.
Approximately 40 persons attended Saturday's ceremony at the house. Ben Kettelkamp, vice-chairman of the chapter, said "We've been blessed
with a wonderful community we live in and with wonderful volunteers."
He added that Habitat for Humanity's goal is to provide people with
simple, decent places to live.
Kenny Hampton, representing the City of Greenville at the ceremony as a
councilman, stated, "This is a really great day. Today, this house
becomes a home. My congratulations to all on a job well done."
He said the city is grateful for the new housing and "we look forward to more projects."
According to Trover, every Habitat home is a special home. He
remembered that over a year ago the chapter was approached by Mannoia
about the college being involved in a project.
"We're truly blessed by the giving of Greenville College and the churches," the Habitat for Humanity chairman commented.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted at the front porch of the new
home by Stone, members of the Habitat for Humanity board, and
representatives of the college and churches.
While the visitors were touring the inside of the home, outside of the
house was Ella Peters, assisted by Stone, planting a rose bush.
Several volunteers traveled to Vandalia, where Stone had furniture and
other items stored, and brought them to the house on Saturday so she
could move in that day.
Trover indicated that the chapter board is in the process of selecting
its next family. He noted that while the first four homes have been
constructed in Greenville, there is property in the county that can
also be used.
Members of the board include Trover, Kettelkamp, Julie Rathbone, Alison
Sears, Patt Harris, Anita and Roger Marcoot, Columber, Max Sussenbach,
Patrice White and Barbara Wrisberg.
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