Habitat for Humanity to build home in area
With help from a few ladies, a single mother and her two children soon may be living in a new home. For the second year in a row, members of the PGA Tour Wives Association and Nemacolin Ladies League will join forces with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a family in need.
The house is being built on Faith Drive in Uniontown, next to two other Habitat for Humanity houses recently constructed in the area.
John Morgan, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Fayette County, said they plan on building the home in 50 hours.
Morgan said the “prep work” for the project already has been done, but that there still is plenty to do. Drywall needs to be hung, floors need to be installed and trim needs painted, he said.
“We’re pretty much going to build the whole house in 50 hours,” Morgan said.
Morgan said the work will begin with a prayer service at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 and will conclude at 1 p.m. Sept. 12.
Morgan said about 30 women volunteered their time during the 84 Lumber Classic last year and he expects that many and more to volunteer this year.
Last year, the women who volunteered helped put up outside walls, add insulation and cut out doors and windows. Some also climbed on top of the roof and did some hammering, Morgan said.
Morgan said there’s a lot of work to do on the house, and that anyone who wants to volunteer is more than willing to come and help out.
“Work will be going on around the clock,” he said.
All of the effort will benefit Thelma Sewell of Uniontown and her two children, Candace and Daniel Adams.
The Habitat for Humanity program requires that the beneficiaries volunteer at least 350 “sweat equity hours” of their own time during the construction phase.
Those assisted by Habitat for Humanity also must be able to first demonstrate need and be able to pay an interest-free mortgage. “Habitat is not a giveaway program,” said Dan Visnauskas, board president of Habitat for Humanity.
Visnauskas said the mortgage payments that Habitat for Humanity beneficiaries make are used to help cover cost associated with other construction projects. All of the money stays within the program, he said, noting that more than 1,000 families in Fayette County currently are living in substandard housing.
Anyone interested in volunteering his or her time for Habitat for Humanity can call Morgan at 724-437-4150. For more information, visit online at www.habitatfayettepa.org.