By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties recently approved one Chilton County family for a Habitat home, currently expected to begin construction in 2019.

Executive Director Lisa Green said this date can be moved up if enough funds are acquired.

“As soon as we can get those funds raised, the sooner we can start — and maybe we wouldn’t have to wait until 2019,” Green said.

The family was one of four Chilton County families who applied for a Habitat for Humanity home during a series of application fairs held in January. Three families out of 41 total applicants were approved for homes, the other two families residing in Autauga County.

“When we get started on a home there in Chilton County, we need as many volunteers as we can get, whether they’re a professional trade or just willing to learn and help,” Green said.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that provides quality homes for affordable prices to eligible families in need, according to its website.

Green said that Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties has a new sponsor in Resource Management Service, which provides volunteers and financial services to the nonprofit’s projects in the communities the corporation operates.

“They want to be there in the community,” Green said.

Habitat for Humanity relies on such sponsorships, especially when applying for grants to help further the nonprofit’s outreach.

“We’re always looking for sponsors, volunteers, donations, building donations — whether it’s materials or financial donations,” Green said.

Support speeds the process of completing homes and starting new ones, ultimately reaching more families in need.

“Building for a family — that’s an incredible thing,” Green said.

Green said Habitat for Humanity hopes to provide more homes for Chilton County families in the future.

“We need a dedicated group of volunteers like we have here [Autauga County],” Green said. “The group of dedicated volunteers lead and teach those who have volunteered for the day. We hope that those who volunteered for the day would have a wonderful experience to return again and again!”

 

Green urges donations intended for use in Chilton and Autauga counties to be specified as payable to Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties. Ten percent of all non-specified funds must support the operations of Habitat for Humanity International, which carries the donations outside the impact reach of Chilton and Autauga counties, according to Green.

People interested in supporting Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties can call (334) 365-4132 or visit HabitatAutaugaChilton.org.