Habitat for Humanity dedicates first Anna home
source="76ab1ca1545c22ebaf6e724183598287.jpg"
A Union County family has a brand new home, just in time for Christmas.
Last Saturday morning, the family was given the keys to the first home built in Anna by Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
The organization's website notes that:
"Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner partner families.
"In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
"Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
"The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses."
Jackson-Union County Habitat for Humanity oversaw construction of a new home which was built on a lot at 308 N. Green St. in Anna. The lot was donated to Habitat for Humanity by the City of Anna.
The Anna project represents the 25th home constructed by Jackson-Union County Habitat for Humanity.
At a dedication ceremony held Saturday morning, the keys to the home were presented to the John Howell family. The family has been renting a home in Dongola. About 25 people attended the ceremony.
The family is moving into an 1,125-square-foot home which has three bedrooms and two baths. For the holiday season, the home even had a Christmas tree standing in the corner of one room.
After the dedication ceremony, John Howell said he and his two children, Abigail, 8, and Hunter, 5, were glad to have their own place to call home. Howell said he couldn't sleep Friday night because he was so excited about waiting for Saturday morning to arrive.
Jackson-Union County Habitat for Humanity board member Walter Sickel said that Howell invested more than 300 hours of "sweat equity" in his new home.
Sickel voiced appreciation to all of those who helped in the construction of the new home.
He said that Habitat for Humanity allows those in the community to "come together and help a member of the community."
"Habitat comes from God," Sickel added during the dedication ceremony.
The ceremony included introductions and thanks to those who participated in the building of the home, dedication of the home, and presentation of a Bible and the keys to the home to the Howell family.
Persons, businesses and organizations recognized for their help with the Anna project included:
The City of Anna; James Construction; Josh Linson; Sid, Greg, Tom Rathert and Richard McGriff and Apprentices Allied Craft Local 8; Hardin County Work Camp.
John A. Logan College construction management, HVAC classes, HCCTP; Ed Burris Disposal; Mike Chezem Drywall; W.J. Burke Electric Co.; J/C Roofing; Greenville prison cabinet program.
Plumbers/Pipefitters Local 160, Anna-Jonesboro Garden Club, CEBCO, Marshall Norman, Cook Portable Buildings, Dennis Basler, Changing Seasons, Joe Gomez, McDonald's, KFC.
Whirlpool Corporation, Schneider Electric USA, Hunter Douglas, Yale, Dow.