CORUNNA – “A true labor of love” is how the Rev. James Downing, Shiawassee County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, characterized the 11^th Habitat house, which was dedicated this past Sunday to recipient Holly Serre and her family of six children.

            Serre was chosen from among 85 applicants to receive the home – the largest project – built to accommodate Holly and her children Joe, Andy, Arthur, Jennifer, Amanda and Jacob.

            Downing opened the dedication with prayer and then thanked all those in attendance for being there to celebrate the Serres’ new home, which is located on Williams Street in Corunna.  Downing said, “In 2004, we’ll build another home and in 2005, with the Jimmy Carter Foundation coming to Michigan, we hope to build three to five homes.”

            “With the Jimmy Carter Work Project coming to Michigan, 250 homes are anticipated to be built with 83 counties each expected to build one faith home,” he continued. “We’re anticipating and hoping to build five and then we could be eligible for international funding.”

            He went on to say, “Habitat is faith-based and Christianity is the core of the Habitat foundation.”  He explained that Habitat was founded by Millard Fuller to offer affordable housing to lower income individuals and noted the national affiliate just completed its 100^th home in December.

            Referring to the Serres’ new home, he said, “This home could not have been built without God.  Everything was ordained by God; our local affiliate, hiring me as director, down to the last nail pounded.” 

            “We hope Holly and her family will turn this house into a home, to grow and share with their neighbors,” he continued.  He noted that both Holly and her adult son Joe have completed half of their 250 sweat-equity hours of commitment, in addition to her other children being at the site regularly to help out.

            Downing then presented Holly with a Home Interior globe and candle, designed specifically for Habitat’s nationwide fund-raising ventures.  “May this candle and its continued light of Christ fill your home,” said Downing.

            Janet Sharp of the Michigan Board of Realtors, along with Kelly Bila, also of the Michigan Board of Realtors and the president of the Habitat selection committee, present the Serres with a computer and printer.

            Downing noted that the Baker College of Owosso professional staff would have a new computer desk for them after the New Year as the group adopted the family as their community outreach recipients.  In addition, following their Christmas party, they donated a lighted Christmas tree which graces the front entry of the new home.

            The Baker College of Owosso Student Nurses Association also selected the Serres for their outreach program and raised more than $2,000 in the Habitat  Walk during the Building Blitz and turned around and started a food drive which ran 10 weeks and was a campus-wide event.  The food drive produced more than 375 pounds of food which the personally delivered to the home to stock the brand new solid oak cupboards.

            Several of the main workers of the build took the floor and thanked the many volunteers who helped out on the project.  Rob Cole, who was in charge of the building and is the new chairman of Habitat, said, “I can’t say enough about the volunteers and what the community organizations have been able to accomplish.”

            He noted, “Rev. Downing was a big help, as well as Ray Shear, who is fondly known as Mr. Habitat, as he works on all the electrical.  Then there was Keith Clark who did a lot of the trim and just about anything else and Bruce Robb.  Dale Butcher was a real valuable asset, fabricating the trim and kitchen areas of the home.”

            Lastly, he thanked the many volunteers who were unable to be present at the dedication but worked tirelessly behind the scenes.  “You can’t image the many people who worked behind the scenes, bringing food and water and keeping the job site clean.”  Then Cole pointed out that the three major lumber companies which contributed building materials were Carter Lumber, The Home Depot and Glaser’s Lumber Co.

            He said it was especially nice to see a family such as the Serres so involved in building the home.  “Thanks to Holly and her kids.  They’ve been here all the time – even the kids were hammering side by side.  It’s just nice to see such enthusiasm rather then just what is required.”

            Downing gave a special thanks to the Michigan Department of Corrections, noting, “The entire infrastructure and walls (2 x 4s) are done completely by the Thumb Area Correction Facility prisoners who are not only helping through their community service but gaining valuable job training at the same time.”

            “I need to extend a huge thanks to the Shiawassee County Sheriff Department and Sheriff Jon Wilson, who allowed several non-violent trusties to come out on work release and they did all the setting of the trusses and lifting of the walls,” he continued.  “We couldn’t have done it without them.  They were fabulous workers.”

            Downing said the inmates of the Deerfield Correctional Facility in Ionia made all the handmade oak cabinetry for the kitchen and Whirlpool donated the appliances.

            Horton said the house was to be formally signed over to Holly and her family today.

            Downing then invited those in attendance to tour the new home. 

This article was taken from the December 26^th issue of the Argus Press and written by Karen L. Siminski.