Media Coverage

Labor of friendship: Volunteers help family get its own home

By Anna L. Griffin TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
agriffin@telegram.com

FITCHBURG- April 24, 2006 Habitat for Humanity dedicated a new home in the city, and in doing so, sent a check along to build a home in another part of the world.

"Whenever we dedicate a home, we send a check to our international organization," explained Megan Foley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. The money comes from general fundraising and does not come out of the money for individual house projects.

The amount, $4,200, is enough to build a home in another part of the world. Not here in Massachusetts, Ms Foley pointed out. "Houses are a little more expensive than that in this state," she said.

That houses are expensive in the state was something nearly everyone in the room gathered Saturday at the dedication ceremony knew, especially new homeowners Jason and Lisa Carroll, who, along with their two sons, Jameson, 5, and Jaxson, 2, will be moving into the house at 83 Walnut St.

Efforts to turn the house into a home already have started, including a basketball hoop that has cropped up in the driveway.

"I don't think it will really sink in until we have all of our stuff moved in," said Mr. Carroll as he stood in the living room.

Mr. Carroll said he and his wife became involved with Habitat for Humanity after reading in a newspaper about a meeting the group was having. Home ownership, even with historically low mortgage rates, was out of their reach - until they found out about Habitat for Humanity. The couple has been renting an apartment in Shirley.

"I am so happy we became involved with Habitat," Mr. Carroll said. "Not just because of the house but because we met so many fine people along the way, people who are now our friends."

According to information from the organization, through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates simple, decent housing with the help of partner-owners.

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with low, interest-free mortgages. The homeowners' monthly payments are recycled into a revolving "Fund for Humanity" that is used to build more houses.

Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor to build their home and the homes of others.

The dedication ceremony was held at the home and included a number of speakers and presentations.

Ms. Foley said this is the fourth house built in Fitchburg by Habitat. Another house is being planned for Fitchburg on Essex Street and in Leominster on Spruce Street. The organization has projects in the planning stages in Ashburnham and Townsend.

Over the years the organization has built or renovated 11 homes in northern Central Massachusetts.

Ms. Foley announced that one family, David and Patricia Ashe of Gardner, were paying off their mortgage with Habitat. She said the Ashes explained that their personal situation had changed, allowing them to make the payoff.

Major funding for the Carrolls' house was provided by a donation from Amica Insurance Co.

Ms. Foley thanked Amica Insurance for its assistance. "I want to thank you for the opportunity to be involved in something so meaningful and so wonderful," said Robert DiMuccio, chief executive officer of Amica.

Mr. DiMuccio said this is the third Habitat project the company has been involved with, and Amica employees also volunteered their time for the project.

Students at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School also helped build the house, as did a group from the Northeast Correction Center, Gardner.

Frank Woods was the construction manager for the project.

Professional services for the project were donated by D.J. LeRiche, Hallmark Foundations, the law offices of Robert Ware, and David E. Ross Associates, engineers.

The land for the home was donated to Habitat by the city. City Councilor Stephen DiNatale commented on how the lot had been vacant for many years after a house fire in 1994.

"And out of the ashes of that fire, this house has risen," Mr. DiNatale said.

The Rev. Thien Nguyen, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, a neighbor to the new home, gave the invocation. "You have transformed this vacant lot into a beautiful home," he said. "This is a gift from God."