HAGERSTOWN, MD - There are many smiles that get to shine on in the Austin family's new home.
"Oh I'm overly joyed, I'm so excited. I just thank God that we got our dream, and thanks to Habitat," shares Lakenya Austin, the new homeowner.
This is the first home to be dedicated by Habitat for Humanity of Washington County. After about eight weeks of rehabilitation, the hard work has paid off.
"I gained a lot of appreciation for hard work, real hard work. I thought real hard work was sitting at a desk for eight hours, and listening to people complain, it's not: Digging trenches and I know what things are now," says Austin.
"Lakenya and Varnell, and all of our volunteers, put in so much sweat equity and hard work I know it's going to be exciting and pay off for them," says Becca Burford, Director of Development with Habitat for Humanity of Washington County.
"I can say that now, my own house," exclaims Austin.
The house was made a home during the dedication ceremony, after some shed tears of joy and the Minister blessed every room. Habitat leaders say this is just the start of home rehabilitation in Hagerstown.
"We're so excited because it opens up such a new opportunity for so many more families, because there's so many old houses in this city that we can buy them and renovate them at less of a cost than it is to build from the ground up, which gives more opportunities to more low-income, hard-working families," says Burford.
The family clutched the keys to their new home, getting ready to make the big move in just a few weeks.
If you're interested in volunteering or want to find out more information about Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, check out their website.
"Oh I'm overly joyed, I'm so excited. I just thank God that we got our dream, and thanks to Habitat," shares Lakenya Austin, the new homeowner.
This is the first home to be dedicated by Habitat for Humanity of Washington County. After about eight weeks of rehabilitation, the hard work has paid off.
"I gained a lot of appreciation for hard work, real hard work. I thought real hard work was sitting at a desk for eight hours, and listening to people complain, it's not: Digging trenches and I know what things are now," says Austin.
"Lakenya and Varnell, and all of our volunteers, put in so much sweat equity and hard work I know it's going to be exciting and pay off for them," says Becca Burford, Director of Development with Habitat for Humanity of Washington County.
"I can say that now, my own house," exclaims Austin.
The house was made a home during the dedication ceremony, after some shed tears of joy and the Minister blessed every room. Habitat leaders say this is just the start of home rehabilitation in Hagerstown.
"We're so excited because it opens up such a new opportunity for so many more families, because there's so many old houses in this city that we can buy them and renovate them at less of a cost than it is to build from the ground up, which gives more opportunities to more low-income, hard-working families," says Burford.
The family clutched the keys to their new home, getting ready to make the big move in just a few weeks.
If you're interested in volunteering or want to find out more information about Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, check out their website.
