Ground broken on latest Habitat for Humanity home

It's been a particularly long winter for the Lucero family of McCook, waiting for the ground to thaw and the weather to warm enough to break ground at the lot on West Fairacres. The wait was over Saturday and Jessica Lucero watched the lot preparation with visions of hackberry trees, flower beds and a home to call her own reflected in her shining eyes.

The family of five has been looking forward to rolling up their sleeves and getting to work on the modest home they will help build, and buy, taking advantage of the no-interest mortgage provided by Habitat for Humanity. Jessica and husband, Eric, will put in the bulk of the family's sweat equity. Sons Adryan, 11, and Anthony, 8, are excited and eager to help and little sister, Neveah, 2, is the family's cheerleader.

The foundation of this home is being built on faith, both literally and figuratively.

"We generally have all of the funds in place before breaking ground," explained Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity board member Becky Dutcher, "but this time we're really stepping out in faith and looking toward a second build in the Maywood/Curtis area later this year as well."

This is the board's fourth build, the third home was completed in Cambridge in 2006.

Fund raising efforts include the sale of raffle tickets for a playhouse throughout the summer. Once the playhouse is completed, it will be displayed around the area, at county fairs and other public events. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn during McCook's Heritage Days celebration

A second playhouse to raise funds for the Maywood/Curtis project also is planned.

Funds aren't the only thing that is lacking. Volunteers are the foundation of Habitat homes world-wide and volunteers are key to the success of Habitat in Southwest Nebraska as well.

"We can use from five to 20 volunteers on any given Saturday," Dutcher said. "It depends on where we're at in the process how many people we can put to work."

Dutcher recommends that volunteers call first to find out when and what and then sign up. She can be reached during business hours at (308) 345-3605 or after hours at 344-2576.

The lot preparation was scheduled for completion Saturday. Work will continue each Saturday for 14 consecutive weeks.

Community support for Habitat has always been high, with area church groups and restaurants often providing refreshments and a noon meal for volunteers.

Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. It requires not only the sweat equity of the Habitat family, they also must keep up the mortgage payments on the no-interest loan. The homeowners also are responsible for all house maintenance and repairs, utility costs, taxes and insurance.