By Betsy Finklea
A small prayer service to commemorate the building of the first Habitat for Humanity house in Lake View was held on Friday in a field with snow remnants still on the ground on a cold day.
This did not deter the mission of the men who were there to offer prayer before construction starts.
Five men–Jim Kirkland, Dillon County Director of Marion-Dillon County Habitat For Humanity; Maxie Hardee, the site construction supervisor for Habitat For Humanity; Wayne King, a deacon at Pyerian Baptist Church; Dr. James Orr of Pyerian Baptist Church; and Pastor James Smith of East Dillon Baptist Church–all gathered at the site of this home, which will be located at 400 South Cedar Street, and offered sincere prayers for the home, its occupants, and those who will labor there to get the home built. Prior to the offering of prayers, Dr. Orr read an appropriate Bible verse, Psalms 127:1, which reads “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (KJV)”
Kirkland said the house will be a three-bedroom, two-bath house with 1250 sq. ft. of living area. He said it will “feature an open concept layout between the family room and the kitchen.” It will also have a front porch.
Volunteers are a key part of getting the job done. “We use volunteer labor as much as possible,” said Kirkland. “We hire local contractors for things like plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling (HVAC),” he explained. “We gladly take donations in general and donation specifically for this house will go towards the cost of construction.”
College students from Villanova and Sienna College are expected in the coming months to work on the home. Students from these colleges have worked on other Habitat projects with the local Habitat for Humanity in Marion County.
This is the first of five Habitat homes to be built in the Lake View area thanks to a donation from NFL football star Darius Shaquille Leonard. Leonard’s manager, Raymond Foxworth, said at the time of the announcement that while they were starting with five homes, they would like to do 70 in the future, with the goal of getting those who need it decent, affordable housing.
Habitat homes are not free; but are instead sold to the homeowner for the cost of construction with no interest on the loan. The homeowner pays a mortgage payment and an escrow payment which covers county taxes, city taxes, and homeowners insurance. Each family is required to have 300 hours of sweat equity in their home. Recipients of the homes are chosen by a Family Selection Committee who makes a recommendation to the full board. Homes go to those with the greatest need.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
