Framing for our ninth home in San Juan Capistrano began early in the morning with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sharon Ellis, HfHOC Executive Director.
Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International welcomed all volunteers and guests. Our ninth home has been funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans & the Lutheran Partnership.
Reverend Fico led a blessing of the site and placed holy water on a section of 2x4 that will be part of the first wall raised.
Thrivent executive Jim Smith introduces the Keyte family as they begin their journey toward homeownership.
Following the ceremony, volunteers wasted no time in creating the wall frames.
The Keyte's were ready to put in a full day of sweat equity on their home
Every angle was taken into consideration as the wall sections were quickly formed.
Our volunteers span the generations...everyone was there to swing a hammer.
All members of the Keyte family signed the blessed section of wood...
...and the section was placed into the wall frame.
Young Mr. Keyte hammered it home.
Within an hour the wall sections were completed and the walls were ready to be hoisted into position.
The Keyte's, plus volunteer and donor Henry Nicholas III began raising the first walls, less than two hours after work began.
The frame is lifted and attached to the foundation....
and smiles and "thumbs-up" celebrate the moment.
Not a moment is wasted and two more walls are quickly raised. The work of many hands makes the work light.
More smiles...another step closer to homeownership for the Keytes.
By 10am it was time to join the Dedication Ceremony of the first 4 homes in the development...and meet the new neighbors.