Local Habitat celebrates 25th anniversary with open house
For 25 volunteer days this summer, almost 300 Habitat for Humanity volunteers put in more than 2,800 hours of labor helping to build a home for Sheena Perez and her family on an existing lot on Elma Avenue in Elgin.
Volunteers, donors, neighbors, friends, families, and community members are invited to celebrate the culmination of these efforts Friday, July 31, as the Northern Fox Valley affiliate hosts an open house at the finished home from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Doors to the house will open at 2:30 p.m., with time for house tours before the house blessing ceremony at 3 p.m. After the ceremony, Perez will formally purchase her home during a mortgage signing ceremony on-site at 3:30 p.m.
The house will remain open until 6 p.m. for refreshments, conversations with the family and volunteers, and further camaraderie. To join in the celebration, RSVP to Connie Kitzinger, Family Services coordinator, at connie.kitzinger@habitatnfv.org or call (847) 836-1432.
"We are extremely grateful to the many volunteers and sponsors that contributed to our 25th Anniversary 25-Day Blitz Build," said Executive Director Barbara Beckman. "We could not have built a home from the ground up in such a short time without their generous support."
The lot on Elma Avenue was purchased by the affiliate three years ago after a gas explosion took the previous home in January 2010. This is the first new construction project Northern Fox Valley has taken on since transitioning to rehabilitation projects six years ago.
Through a partnership with Maine East High School's Geometry in Construction program, the first-floor walls were funded by the classes and assembled inside the school's workshop. With the help of Oakton Community College's Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, the walls were delivered to the site at the end of the school year and raised in one build day to kick off the 25-Day Blitz Build.
Further help from many community and corporate volunteers and groups transformed a lot that began as simply a hole in the ground into a home for the Perez family.
When a friend and Habitat homeowner told Perez about the Habitat program, she decided then and there that she wanted to apply. The road to homeownership was not easy. Her divorce had left her with a lot of debt, and it took almost three years - and three applications - before she was financially ready to become a Habitat homeowner.
"When I found out I had been approved, I cried," Perez said. "Obviously, they were tears of joy and happiness. Patience does have its rewards."
Sheena and her family are so excited to be part of the 25th Anniversary Blitz Build. They are all very excited to be part of the whole building process and to see the rewards of hard work. After three years of waiting, the fact that the construction is going to take about three months is nothing short of amazing.
"We can't wait to live in our new home - a house that will be full of love and blessings. We are thankful for Habitat and all the volunteers that will make this possible."
As a time for homeowners, volunteers, and supporters to further celebrate Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley's many accomplishments over the past 25 years, the community is invited to a backyard barbecue bash outdoors in the back of the office at 56 S. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin.
The 25th Anniversary Backyard Barbecue Bash will be 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. There will be a DJ, juggler, bouncy house and games for kids, as well as a free raffle with prizes ranging from patio furniture to grills and more. For information or to RSVP, contact Olivia Vlahos, Volunteer & Outreach manager, at olivia.vlahos@habitatnfv.org or call (847) 836-1432 by Saturday, Aug. 8.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is one of eight Habitat affiliates in the Chicago area. It has completed 96 new construction and rehabilitation projects in Carpentersville, Elgin, St. Charles, and the surrounding area, 43 of which have been funded through proceeds from ReStore Elgin.
For details, call (847) 836-1432 or visit habitatnfv.org. For information about ReStore Elgin, call (847) 742-9905 or visit restorelgin.org.