Habitat for Humanity doesn't just build affordable housing for those in need; they build homes . . . homes where dreams are realized and seeds of optimism are planted.  For the Scippio's, a recently married couple who have known each other for 28 years, it's a dream they thought they might never realize. 

    Jeremy Scippio was raising two sons, ages eleven and three as a single parent.  Lacoya, now his wife, was a single parent raising a thirteen-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter.  The two had known each other since childhood, first attending South Hamilton Elementary in White Springs; then later attending Hamilton County High in Jasper.  Jeremy graduated High School in 1995 and went straight into the Marine Corps.  There, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines out of Camp LeJeune, NC and was later deployed overseas.  Lacoya, meanwhile, graduated in 1996 and became a working mom.  As fate would have it, their paths crossed once more when the pair began attending the same church.  They soon realized they had many common interests and decided to marry.

    Jeremy and Lacoya both agreed to partner with Habitat by putting in 350 volunteer hours.  Lacoya completed most of hers at the Veteran Hospital's terminally ill wing.  Jeremy volunteered most of his hours in preparing the lot and providing labor for the actual construction of the home.

    The community support was tremendous.  Churches, groups and individuals cooked lunches for the volunteer construction crews.  Dedicated donors and volunteers made it possible for this family of six to get into their home for Christmas.

    Helping build their home was a good learning experience for Jeremy and Lacoya.  Jeremy said it was through all the help of the volunteers and the grace of God his family was able to move into their home.  "It's a blessing!", he said.  "Working on the house was rough at times, but the family can sleep and rest in a place of their own", he said.  "I thank everyone who had a part.  We are very grateful and thankful to be moving in before Christmas!"

   The goal for Habitat is to meet the physical needs of people by providing decent and simple, affordable homes.  Partner families provide 350 hours of "sweat equity" and have a mortgage payment with no interest on the loan.

                A Message from your Chairman

Again, I would like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard for the 

last nine months to get the Scippio family into their new home by Christmas! 

A special thanks to Paul LeClair, Larry Lee, Jay Larick, Jon Lash and Janina Terry for their leadership and all the other many volunteers who shared in this endeavor. Also, to Mr. Al Ringer, of Al's Painting of Branford for contributing the entire paint job on this home and to Jimmy Johnston for his continued support!

With our fourth house completed, it is time to think about the fifth house.  For it to become a reality, before the we start the house, we have to have at least two qualified partner families, 80 percent of construction funding in place and a construction chairman.  Please pray for these needs.  I would also like to have more groups ready to volunteer for workdays/projects before starting.

Sheila and I have registered for the 2011 National Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Conference scheduled for March 23 - 25.  If you are interested in joining us, Visit the national conference registration site and register today or see one of us.