Shawnda Buckner receives her keys

For many, owning a home is a dream. Shawnda Bucker had her dream come true Saturday, November 13, 2004, when she received the keys to her new home at 2662 Princeton St., in Lower Burrell. This single mother of four will be moving in, in a few weeks.

Saturday was a special day for not just Shawna and her family, but for the gracious volunteers that came out to help. Although, not all of the over 1000 volunteers were there that actually worked on the house were able to attend, there was a house full of family, friends and volunteers. The special dedication ceremony was held from 3:00 to 3:30 pm and a tour until 5:00 pm. There were lots of delicious food items as well as a special slideshow presentation created by Diane Belitskus, Executive Director for the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter.

The house took more than a year. Things were slowed this year due to the rainy weather. Work is mostly done on Saturdays. Habitat usually builds a house in 60 days. These sixty days spanned over a year or a little more due to the work being done mostly on Saturday’s. During these workdays Habitat provides lunches for workers.

Buckner Family Checking out the House

Donations were received from various companies and organizations. The flooring, for the house, was donated. The organization had enough flooring to put in 10 more houses. With the abundance of extra supplies, this Habitat chapter can trade with other Habitat chapters and get siding or other need supplies and give them flooring and avoiding having to purchase certain needed supplies.

This particular house had a large bay window in the dinning area. This was not the initial plan for the house but a resident in the community had changed his mind about using this window in is own home and donated it to Habitat for Humanity and it was placed perfectly in the home looking out onto a beautiful view saving the purchase of two windows that were originally planned to be installed in its place.

The homeowner does not get this house for free and is required to put much of their own time into the home. Homeowners are required to put in at least 450 hours of "sweat equity". According to The Reverend Dr. W. James Legge, "Habitat carries the mortgage with no interest. The homeowner ends up paying for ground and materials (unless ground is donated)."

Shawnda Buckner receiving a bible after the keys

Many regular volunteers from Youth United helped out on weekends.Other volunteers of all skill levels came in different weekends to help as well. There was one group that came in from Greentree. Coach Glen Gross and wife Lynn originally came up to help when clearing of the lot started, they brought Glen’s whole basketball team.

This house was mainly organized Youth United is a division of Habitat for Humanity. The Youth raise the money and build the house.

The following is quoted from:
http://www.habitatav.org

Buckner House

"Youth United is an initiative that invites affiliates and campus chapters to recruit youth, ages 5-25, to sponsor and build houses in their communities. Youth United targets a group of young, enthusiastic volunteers to build homes, develop leadership skills, and experience the joy of helping others that involvement with Habitat for Humanity offers."
"Youth United promotes greater youth involvement with Habitat for Humanity by encouraging:

• Youth of all ages to understand Habitat’s mission and participate in its work in their communities;
  
• Children of Habitat homeowners to take a more active role in Habitat’s work;
  
• Young people already involved in Habitat to become youth leaders;
  
• People from different ages, backgrounds, faiths and organizations"
  

If you are interested in volunteering your time and or skills, or would like more information, you can call 724-339-2777 or go to:
http://www.habitat.org or*
http://www.habitatav.org

See a prevouis article done in May 2004 by
http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com which can be found at:
http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/articles/1323