Home for holidays: Habitat for Humanity dedicates Aurora home
On Dec. 3, Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity dedicated the Lopez family home at 656 Spruce St. in Aurora.
The ceremony featured prayers, housewarming gifts and presentation of a ceremonial house key.
Habitat volunteers and contractors built the home in partnership with the future homeowners, Cristal Lopez and sons Anthony, Malachi and Noah.
Since 1988, Habitat's founding, the Lopez home is Habitat's 69th in the Fox Valley and fifth Faith Build, a partnership of 25 area faith communities.
Rick Loufek of Aurora, Habitat board chair and event emcee, welcomed guests to open the event.
Other speakers were Rev. Jeffrey Barrett, Habitat CEO and pastor, Genesis Community Church of Montgomery, who reviewed Habitat's mission; Cecile Gallot, financial adviser, Thrivent Financial, Oswego; Rev. Duane Mavis, Naperville, Habitat founder; Dave Dumford, Naperville, former Habitat volunteer; Ron Kelso, Yorkville, Habitat board member; Rev. Tim Loar, pastor, Calvary Church, Naperville; and Cristal Lopez.
Presentations included house keys from Guillermo Trujillo, Aurora deputy mayor; bread, salt and wine from Cornell and Tamara Shaw, Habitat volunteers; a family Bible from Shauna Weatherspoon, volunteer; quilts and prayer shawls from Rubi Mata, 2017 homeowner; and a $100 gift certificate from Lukas Pawlowski, Habitat West Aurora ReStore manager.
Expressing appreciation for her family's home, Lopez said "I want to thank Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, the churches and all the organizations that came together and made this dream of homeownership possible for my family.
"We can't wait to begin our new life in our beautiful home and make memories that will last a lifetime.
"You all have changed our lives forever.
"We thank you truly from the bottom of our hearts."
Recognized in the event's print program were 24 in-kind partners that donated funds, building supplies, furnishings and other items.
Faith Build partners were:
• Aurora: Advent Christian Church, First Baptist Church, Flowing Forth United Methodist Church, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, St. John United Church of Christ, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
• Batavia: Bethany Lutheran Church and Congregational Church of Batavia
• Chicago: Chicagoland Habitat
• Geneva: Rejoice Lutheran Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ
• Montgomery: Genesis Community Church
• Naperville: Calvary Church, Community United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Grace United Methodist Church, River Glen Presbyterian Church, Trinity Church of the Nazarene and Wesley United Methodist Church
• Oswego: Oswego Presbyterian Church, Thrivent Financial
• Sugar Grove: United Methodist Church of Sugar Grove
• Yorkville: AuSable Grove Presbyterian and Trinity Church United Methodist Church
Founded in 1988 in Aurora, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is a Christian nonprofit based at Genesis Community Church in Montgomery.
Since its founding, Fox Valley Habitat has partnered with about 70 families in Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery and Batavia to provide affordable shelter.
Fox Valley Habitat is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a grass-roots effort launched in 1976.
The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries.
To learn more, call (630) 859-3333 or visit www.foxvalleyhabitat.org.