HAMLET — The Pittman family has a new home — the most recently completed Habitat build in Richmond County.
Rita DiNapoli, chair of the Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills board, welcomed family, friends, volunteers and other board members, with local ministers offering prayer during Saturday’s dedication ceremony in the Briarwood community.
Housewarming gifts for the Pittman family — Ellis, Nikki and their son, Robert — included a bed comforter, handmade quilt, a Bible and cookbooks.
The Pittmans have been working towards this goal of home ownership for months, attending classes and programs in the Aberdeen Habitat office and working their “sweat equity” hours on the construction site and at the ReStore.
This build was labeled a “Women Build” because the fundraising committee, chaired by Christian Liles, consisted entirely of women. Tony Maples and Melissa Staub also were very involved in the planning of event.
The committee thought outside the box to come up with unique ways to raise money through events like a Share Night at Captain D’s, a yoga class by Hitchcock Creek and a Womanless Pageant to build this home. The committee members also logged hours working on the construction site.
The public can help with Habitat projects by shopping at the Habitat ReStore, donating gently used items to the ReStore for resale and volunteering at the store or on the build site. No prior construction experience is necessary to help on the build site.
A 0 percent mortgage, 300 hours of sweat equity from each family member and the help of volunteers from the community all add up to a new home for a deserving family.
Potential homeowners are screened for income requirements, credit worthiness — which shows ability to repay their mortgage — and willingness to invest the time it takes to help make their future home a reality.
For more information about applying for a Habitat home, visit the ReStore in Rockingham or contact Ellen Harrison at the Aberdeen office by calling 910-295-1934.
Amy Guinn is manager of the ReStore in Rockingham and a contributor to the Richmond Observer.
