Community Corner
Breaking Ground: Fox Valley Habitat Launches 52nd Home
Breaking Ground--Geneva realtor Steve Saunders, left, helped Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity break ground for its 52nd home in Aurora on Saturday, July 12. From left are Saunders, Al Green, Montgomery, construction supervisor; Alma Gonzalez, Aurora, future homeowner; Kim Pecylak, St. Charles, Habitat board of directors vice chair; and Zach Martel, Naperville, Habitat board chair. With $80,000 and volunteers from the Illinois Realtors Association, Habitat kicked off a six-day build to raise walls, roof and side the 1,150 square foot house and detached garage at 1559 Solfisburg Ave. in Aurora. Volunteers and donations are needed to complete the four-bedroom house by December. (Al Benson photo)--END--
Rain dampens Habitat for Humanity home launch
Slowed yes. Stopped no.
Saturday's early rainstorm slowed but didn't halt Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity from launching a new home on Aurora's far East Side.
Montgomery-based Habitat and Illinois Realtors Association of Springfield are teaming up to build a new four-bedroom, 1,150-square foot home with Aurora's Alma Gonzalez and her family at 1559 Solfisburg Ave. in Aurora.
Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director, said about 70 volunteers--in teams of about 15 each day--are expected to frame, roof and install siding, windows and doors at the house and detached garage by Thursday.
Volunteers from the Aurora Police Department are scheduled to pitch in Thursday.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held about 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12.
Participants were Steve Saunders, Geneva realtor; Al Green, Montgomery, construction supervisor; Alma Gonzalez, Aurora, future homeowner; Kim Pecylak, St. Charles, Habitat board of directors vice chair; and Zach Martel, Naperville, Habitat board chair.
Rev. Barrett said the Illinois Realtors Association has donated $80,000 to the Aurora project. the first of three the association plans to sponsor in Illinois during 2014.
The 1559 Solfisburg home will be the first of five houses Habitat plans for the street, calling the group Peter's Place subdivision.
Habitat plans to compete the subdivision by 2016.
Founded in 1989, Fox Valley Habitat is a Christian housing ministry that has completed 50 projects--new construction or renovations--in Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora.
Volunteers began renovating a house at 512 Webster St. in Aurora several weeks ago. Completion scheduled for December.
Call Rev. Barrett at 630-294-8575 for more information or to donate volunteer labor, funds or materials.--END--