Habitat breaks ground on home number 21 in Logan County

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[September 21, 2016]   LINCOLN - On Sunday afternoon, Habitat for Humanity of Logan County held a groundbreaking service for a new build in Lincoln. The home will eventually belong to recipient Tiffany Parrish and her two young sons, Tatum and Keaton.

The service opened with welcoming comments from Habitat President Cince Bowns. The Litany of Purpose was led by Bob Parrish who is Tiffany’s grandfather, and will also serve as her mentor during and after the build. The reading of scripture was given by Pastor Ken Henneberry from Decatur.

This build is unique in that it will incorporate the Lincoln Community High School, Lincoln Technical Education Center Building Trades Class. Spud Newhouse will be the Habitat leader in the build, and will work with Building Trades instructor Justin Dietrich and his class to have the home completed by the spring of 2017.

Dieterich was on hand with one of his students who will participate in the build. Dieterich said that he was happy to be a part of such an important project. He noted that while serving a great purpose, the build will also help his students gain knowledge that can be put to use in their futures.

Dieterich said that Habitat had approached him to participate in a build several months ago, but at that time, the LTEC was not in a position to take on a new project. But as the schedule was worked out and this build became available, he was happy to have his class help.



Dieterich said the students would be at the building site almost every day during the week until it is completed. Newhouse added that the Building Trades class would be the leaders of the build, but volunteers were also needed, and the Habitat building crew would also be working, especially on weekends.

After the building leaders had spoken, Bowns commented that there was an added value to having the Building Trades Class involved. She said she wanted to encourage these young people to understand the value of volunteerism, and hoped that it would lead to involvement in other projects in the future, not just for Habitat, but for any organization that seeks community involvement.

The family was introduced and came forward. Members included Tiffany and her sons, as well as her grandfather, grandmothers, and other close relatives. Tiffany thanked the community for coming to the groundbreaking, and Habitat for offering her the opportunity to become a homeowner.

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When the time came, Bowns invited all the board members of Habitat to come forward for the Litany of Faith. The first shovels of soil were then turned by the Habitat Board and special guests that included Lincoln Mayor Marty Neitzel, Lincoln Alderwoman Jonie Tibbs, and Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, and Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Director Cathy Wilhite.

The family members were then called forward to turn the soil. Afterward, Bowns invited everyone else there to also turn a shovel of soil if they wished. Among those who came forward to do so was Janice Rock (light green sweater), representing herself and her husband Tom, who are the donors of the property for this build.



After the service, Janice commented that she and her husband had Rock Plumbing at that location for many years. When they shut down the business, the building on the site remained empty for about 15 years. During that time she and Tom talked about what they wanted to do with the property, and they both agreed they wanted to give it to Habitat with the hopes that it would someday provide a good home for a deserving family.



The home is expected to be completed next spring. At that time, the Tiffany will become a homeowner, responsible for paying a mortgage to Habitat, and will also become a new taxpayer in Lincoln and Logan County.

She will work with her mentor to learn about homeownership and financial responsibility. She will make mortgage payments to Habitat, and based on her good payment record, her debt may be forgiven early.

[Nila Smith]

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