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 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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