Habitat for Humanity celebrates a Waynesboro groundbreaking for its 67th Franklin County home: “It’s great when we work together”
By Robb Helfrick
Habitat for Humanity’s Franklin County chapter assembled community and spiritual leaders on August 25 to dedicate a new home project on Ridge Avenue in Waynesboro. The groundbreaking was a symbolic celebration marking the 67th home the organization has built since its local inception in 1994.
Present for the ceremony were a team of HHFC staff, board members, and volunteers, along with Waynesboro Mayor Dade Royer, Josh Moseley of Network Ministries, and Pastor Adam Sewell of Otterbein Church. The family who will own the home at 409 Ridge Avenue was also present and participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking.
HHFC’s Executive Director, Alan Lane, discussed his organization’s focus in a phone interview before the event. “We help build hope,” Lane said as the project got underway. Habitat Franklin County is one of many nationwide HFH affiliates, created as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that is managed locally by a board of directors and a staff of 23. The group works with numerous partners to find building lots, arrange financing, and build homes for low-income families.
Lane said a typical timeframe for building a Habitat home is 9 months to a year. “Every project is unique,” Lane said, stressing that “it’s a deliberate process, so we don’t rush it.”
Most homes are one-story ranch-style structures encompassing 1200 square feet. Depending on a building lot’s topography, some homes also have basements; the new home on Ridge Avenue will include that feature. That project will be Habitat’s 7th home in Waynesboro.
While Habitat for Humanity institutes a collaborative process to build homes, they don’t give them away. They partner with income-qualified families to help them become self-reliant through homeownership. Those families secure a mortgage on each property and also often participate in the building process. This sweat equity is a sign of commitment to their new home.
Habitat also encourages participation from local organizations, governments, and citizens. “We have great community partners,” Lane said. Waynesboro’s Otterbein Church and LCBC Church are active partners in the local building process. LCBC pre-constructed the foundation walls, which are already in place at the Ridge Avenue site.
The building lot was recommended to Habitat by Waynesboro Mayor Royer, and the borough council worked out an agreement to sell the town-owned land to the organization. The Franklin County Area Development Corporation also served as a partner by donating redevelopment funds, money originally allocated by the Franklin County Commissioners through an Impact Grant.
As the groundbreaking ceremony began, Mark Story, Director of Advancement for Habitat Franklin County, delivered opening remarks. Story was an appropriate person to represent the local organization, since he was its first employee. “There’s been a lot of community support to get us to this point,” Story said. “It’s great when we work together.”
Story thanked LCBC Church for the pre-constructed walls used for the home. He also acknowledged Habitat’s partnership with PathStone, a not-for-profit community development and human services organization founded in 1969, which helped the homeowners qualify for a mortgage.
“This project has been in the works for almost two years,” Story said. However, Story reminded attendees that more help was needed. “There’s a wonderful opportunity for volunteer labor if anyone in the community wants to join us at the site.”
Mayor Dade Royer followed with his thoughts. “We love working with Habitat. They’re one of the best non-profits in the country. They do important things for our community, and we’ll keep partnering with them.”
Habitat board member Bob Wolff spoke from the heart about a personal connection to the Ridge Avenue project. “It’s significant for me since I lived in Waynesboro for 67 years. My early years were spent in this area; our home was three blocks away.” Wolff thanked the family for choosing to be a part of the project. “It takes hundreds of people to make today happen. We are all cheering for you and wishing you the best of luck.”
Network Ministries Teen Director Josh Mosely quoted Scripture. “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” Mosely recited a prayer to keep the home’s builders safe, to keep the materials strong, and to give the family comfort.
Habitat board member Chris Morrow spoke about the project’s community impact and introduced the partner family. “Congratulations to you and your family,” Morrow said. “What an exciting day. This is what makes Habitat such a magnet for the community.”
“This is the 67th groundbreaking in Franklin County,” Morrow stated. “That is an extraordinary accomplishment. Soon there will be walls, a roof, windows, and doors. The home will be built, but more importantly, you’re going to have an opportunity to establish memories.” He mentioned how people typically imprint distinct memories that are created within a home- a special room, a particular paint color, or a shared holiday. “Those are memories waiting to happen here,” Morrow said.
Morrow thanked the Habitat team, saying there were too many to mention individually. “They have the love, the passion, the enthusiasm for projects like this. We also have our volunteers, the people who donate their time and money. If a hammer needs swinging, they’re there. They are the heroes of Habitat. We have so many wonderful partners.”
Thelma Corrales of PathStone spoke about the mortgaging aspects with new homeowner partners. She recalled her first meeting with Habitat Franklin County. “This is a great group of men and women, and I’m thrilled that PathStone has partnered with them.”
Corrales also spoke about the importance of low-income loans sponsored by the USDA. “I highly recommend these programs, and we’ll do anything we can to help our local families.” Corrales wished the family well in their future home.
The groundbreaking ceremony followed, as the partner family and Habitat’s Construction Manager Kent Cordell used shovels to turn the soil. This symbolic gesture represented both the countless hours already spent to secure the land, funding, and permits, and a commitment to the hard work that lies ahead.
Otterbein Pastor Adam Sewell closed the ceremony with remarks and a benediction. He recalled a prior meeting with Habitat Franklin County’s Alan Lane, when Sewell asked, “How can we as a church support what you’re doing?” Once Otterbein learned what was needed, they stepped up to help.
The Pastor then remarked that finding the right family for the Habitat Ridge Avenue home was an answered prayer. “This is a full-circle moment,” Sewell said to the partner family, “and we’re thankful to be your neighbors.”
For more information about donating to Habitat Franklin County or volunteering at the Ridge Avenue project (or another current building site in Blue Ridge Summit), click the link below to visit the organization’s website.
