• Habitat Plans for 2008!
• First United Methodist Church In Graham to Sponsor Habitat House in 2007!
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Habitat Plans for 2008!

Habitat ready to build again (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)
A fourth family will soon have a place to call home thanks to the year-round work done by volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Just months after completing two homes, the volunteer corps got back to work, meeting with and interviewing potential partner families. After considering each application closely, Habitat volunteers chose Stephanie Ruiz and her children Michael (11) and Brenda (7).
The Ruiz family has spent the last few months working to make their dream come true.
“She’s hard-working, positive and excited,” said Jimmy Guinn, president of Habitat of Humanity of Graham. “Before we pour the slab, they have to get in 100 sweat equity hours. Basically, after being selected in January, she spent February and March getting her sweat equity hours at nonprofit agencies.”
With that work finished, Habitat is ready to begin building its fourth house — this one at 827 Texas Street.
“We’re going to shoot for that first Saturday in May for one of our groups to start,” Guinn said. “Basically, it will be the same house plan as the two that were constructed on Second Street.”
The secret to making Habitat for Humanity work is the volunteer base that does everything from finding land and choosing families to actually building the home, Guinn said. Since Habitat began in Graham in 2006, there has never been a shortage of volunteers.
“Typically, there’s been over 200 separate volunteers per house,” Guinn explained. “That’s just an indication of the broad scope of support. There’s also a cross-section of churches, civic groups and companies.”
To build the homes, Habitat must have 14 groups volunteer to pay for and provide workers for one day. Guinn said he was excited that many of the groups that previously volunteered agreed to do so again.
Through Monday, returning groups that agreed to work another day included the Rotary Club, Eastside Church of Christ, Eddleman Real Estate, Oak Street Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Faith Center Assembly of God, First Presbyterian Church, Graham Bible Church, First United Methodist Church and Wal-Mart. Citibank also signed up as new day sponsor.
“We have a few full-day or half-day sponsorships available,” Guinn said. “They need to notify us as soon as possible.”
Guinn said one of his greatest joys over the last two years has been watching the joy the volunteers get out of working for a family they often don’t know. He said the process is beneficial to everyone who participates.
“That’s why I believe Habitat is a win-win situation,” Guinn said. “It’s obviously a benefit for the partner family. It’s also a benefit for the volunteers who use their gifts, talents and abilities outside the church walls, corporate offices and civic commitments.”
One of the biggest volunteers the first two years has been J.R. Yancey, who has worked as construction supervisor at all three completed homes. Despite having worked every week construction was happening, Yancey has agreed to return in 2008 and will again lead the construction effort.
The materials for the new home are scheduled to be delivered by the end of April, and work will commence days later. The home should be completed in July.
Guinn said that in addition to the hands-on volunteers, Habitat is grateful to the many people who have supported the organization financially through the years.
“Construction costs have gone up, and this (the $3,000 from each day sponsor) does not meet the expenses,” Guinn said. “That’s why we rely on contributions to keep the mortgages manageable for Habitat families. The only way to make up the gap is through donations.”
Guinn said anyone who is interested in helping Habitat — either by sponsoring or a day or through a financial gift — can call (940) 549-0636 or visit www.hfhgraham.org.
While work has not yet begun on the fourth Habitat home in Graham, Guinn said he is already looking ahead to the fifth home. He said the search for partner families is an ongoing process, and he encouraged any family needing a home to let Habitat know.
“If applicants are in anyway interested, please contact the Habitat office to get on our mailing list for our next orientation which will be late summer or early fall,” he said.