Habitat Volunteers Break Ground On Area Home
The Ohio University Coalition of Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a home for an area family in the Frog Hollow community of Nelsonville, Ohio, today (Oct. 3). Ohio University students will join in the hammering with Habitat volunteers and Ohio University Facilities Management personnel to build the home for a family of nine. The project's goal is to be finished by Christmas.
The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation is a major benefactor of the project.
"We're proud to be a part of this Habitat project in Athens County," Ohio University President Robert Glidden said. "One of the Ohio University's missions is to provide service to the region, and this is a way the university can contribute to the greater good of the surrounding community."
It is anticipated that about 300 Ohio University students, with the assistance and direction of Facilities Management personnel, will work on the project, contributing between 50 to 100 hours apiece.
Since its founding in 1990, the Athens County chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built eight homes in Athens, Amesville, Coolville, Glouster, Nelsonville and Sharpsburg. Construction expenses are kept at a minimum through donated materials and labor of volunteers, and the homes are sold at no profit. The cost is then repaid through a no-interest mortgage over a fixed period of time.
"There are many volunteers who are eager to begin the hands-on portion of the project," noted Merle Graybill, director of community service at Ohio University.
Rick Vincent, chief executive officer of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, said, "We're very happy to participate in this endeavor that involves the part of our mission dealing with quality of life issues."
Ralph and Debbie Meyers and their seven children will occupy the home.
