HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Habitat, CHI St. Vincent dedicate new home
A local family has a new home in time for the holidays, thanks to Garland County Habitat for Humanity and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs.
The house at 207 Oma St. was built for Da’Ria Sears and her children, and it took around nine months for the project to come to completion.
At a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Cindy Wagstaff, executive director of GCHFH, said that the house was built through the efforts of around 500 volunteers. Among those who helped was CHI St. Vincent, which sponsored the house. Malvern National Bank also helped by donating the property.
At the dedication, Sears and her oldest son stood on their new porch as various speakers and guest spoke and gave the family gifts.
These included Rhonda Harrington, board president of GCHFH, who said that the GCHFH was very grateful that CHI St. Vincent helped with this project. Tony Houston, president of CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, also spoke.
“It’s just a pleasure,” Houston said about being able to help out people like the Sears family.
The Community of Christ Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Brush Strokes, Community of Joy Lutheran Church, Project Hope & Arkansas Food Bank and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2278, among others, presented the
family with gifts like pots and pans, books and quilts. Volunteer Dave Witchger presented Sears her new keys. Fighting back tears, Sears then addressed the crowd to say how much she appreciated all that they have done for her. In a later interview, she said that she loves the new house.
“I love it. I imagined it would look nice, (but) it’s way better than I imagined,” Sears said.
Sears also wanted to say thank you to all the people and organizations that helped contribute to the house. She also said how much she appreciates Habitat for Humanity.
“(HFH) gives hope to people like me, that I can provide for my children,” Sears said.
This is not the first time that Habitat for Humanity has affected Sears’ life. She said that her father and two aunts live in houses that were built by HFH. “It has been a blessing for a lot of my family members,” Sears said.
This was the 137th house that GCHFH has built since it started in 1995. Wagstaff said they average between six and eight houses a year. They will have two more houses dedicated before Christmas.
Those interested in applying for this program can do so in December. On Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m., GCHFH will host a seminar about the program where people can pick up applications at Oaklawn Baptist Church at 220 Oaklawn St.
Wagstaff also said that they are always in need of more volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can contact Habitat for Humanity at 623-5600.