Habitat for Humanity to raise walls of 500th house during milestone ceremony

Contact:

Beth Lechner, Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
Telephone: (330) 915-5888
Email: blechner@HabitatECO.org
Web: www.habitateco.org/500th

Habitat for Humanity to raise walls of 500th house during milestone ceremony

Canton, Ohio, June 7, 2017 – Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is marking a milestone with an historic wall-raising ceremony as the local nonprofit builds its 500th house. The ceremony will be held onsite at 1810 Edwards Ave NE, Canton, on Saturday, June 17, from 11am to 12pm. In addition to raising the walls, Habitat will celebrate with live music, a brief presentation, refreshments, and the opportunity for the public to write prayers and messages on the home’s wooden studs.

Habitat for Humanity was founded locally by a handful of dedicated volunteers in 1988 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2018. As a Christian housing ministry serving low to moderate wage earners in this community, Habitat has impacted over 2,200 individuals, including 1,800 children, who desperately needed safe, decent, and affordable shelter. This newest milestone, Habitat’s 500th house, will be the home of Norman and Marqitta Gardner and their children Denaysha (17), Dayon (15), Kevonne (13), Elijah (11) and Tashay (11).

“Every single day we’re filled with gratitude when we think about the volunteers, financial donors, voices of support, and partner families who have joined hands with us over the past thirty years,” said Beth Lechner, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. “We celebrate each of those partnerships because this is the unity that strengthens our communities and improves the lives of families and children. In a very real way, this 500th house is a monument to the achievement of an entire community of people.”

Those who would like to learn more about Habitat’s June 17 wall raising ceremony, meet the future homeowners, or make a tax-deductible donation to help build the home should visit habitateco.org/500th.

About Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio:

Serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, Habitat empowers. To learn more, visit habitateco.org.

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