Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity

■ Next weekend brings another first for Rappahannock.

Volunteers in the county will be building the first House, of perhaps several, to be built under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity.

This organization has been building houses in this country and around the world for a number of years. Its most famous volunteer is former president Jimmy Carter. Most volunteers are little known outside their communities, but they have enabled many people to become homeowners who otherwise would not have been able to.

There has been a chapter of Habitat for Humanity in Fauquier County for several years. Woodville’s Bob Darby was involved in that chapter before he moved to Rappahannock County, and he continued to be involved after making the move. : Thanks to his efforts and those of others in the county, Rappahannock may soon have its own chapter, but the first house will be built as a Rappahannock project with the sponsorship of the, Fauquier chapter. : The first house will be erected for Barbara Shanks and her family oin Piedmont Avenue. Mrs. Shanks, a widow who has raised four children, has a house, but it is in poor condition. The new house will be built on the same lot and then the old house will be dismantled Like other recipients of Habitat houses, the Shanks have assisted in building other houses; 500 hours of sweat equity are required to be eligible. I We are living in an economy in which too few jobs pay well enough to support a family. Housing has become an especially expensive part of living costs. Habitat provides a way to overcome that for some families. With donated labor and some donated materials, the house can be built for about half its normal cost. Habitat families acquire an affordable mortgage. I About 25 people, many with considerable construction skills, have volunteered. They need the help of many more who do not have to be skilled, although skills will certainly be welcome.

Building will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday April 1. Organizers are hoping most of the work will be completed by 5 p.m. Sunday April 2; Volunteers are welcome to help for as much time as they can. A gfill will be set up on site to provide hot dogs for lunch. * Plan now to give at least part of the weekend of April 1 and 2 to volunteering to help with this project. If that is not possible, this time, the organization will be building other houses. Let Louise van Dort or Peter Kramer know of your interest so you will be contacted When the next project gets underway. Of course. Habitat can always also use financial contributions to help pay for the materials which must be purchased.

Rappahannock County is in desperate need of more affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity can become part of the answer if enough people are willing to help.