Habitat dedicates third home here on Sunday
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

This coming weekend, the East Wharton County Habitat for Humanity will dedicate its third home in Wharton after nearly nine months of effort. There will be little time for rest, however.

The non-profit organization's attention will shift immediately to Boling. Two lots have been reserved there for future Habitat homes, with construction already under way on Vacuum Street.

Habitat's David Samuelson credits the generosity of the community for making such progress possible. A good portion of the funds needed for construction were raised during a Habitat gala several years ago with additional amounts coming in through the efforts of Habitat volunteer coordinator Sue Wolff. "We've had a lot of participation and it's really helped a whole lot," Samuelson said.

That assistance has included inkind donations of labor, materials and manpower. Such contributions have allowed Habitat to build each home with a cash outlay of just $30,000.

Homeowners are a big part of the labor, providing "sweat equity" to help construct the home.

"The families have to put in 200 hours for each adult (who will live) in a house," Samuelson said.

For Habitat's most recent construction, at 410 S. Sheppard, homeowner Clarence Manciaz went above and beyond that amount of work.

His efforts were supported by around 110 volunteers who provided 2,190 volunteer hours.

In addition to the labor, homeowners must also pay an interest free mortgage.

Work began on the Manciaz house Sept. 18, 2007, with the project wrapping up this week. This is the third Habitat home to be built along Sheppard Street on a parcel donated by the City of Wharton.

"We faced a lot of weather delays with this house and all the groups have really been helpful in keeping us on schedule," Samuelson said.

A dedication ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the home (it will be moved to Caney Creek Church in case of inclement weather). The celebration will include a presentation of keys to the homeowner, a public reception attended by several local ministers and a tour of the home.

"Tell everybody to come out Sunday afternoon," Samuelson said.

For information on volunteering or making a contribution, visit the East Wharton County Habitat for Humanity web site at: www.habitatewc.com