Taking a break from the ongoing construction, River City Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson City blessed the building of a new home on Gateway Drive on Saturday morning.
Norm Robinson, president of Habitat's board of directors, said crews were already into their fourth or fifth week of construction on the building that will serve as the new home of Maria Velazquez and her 7-year-old daughter, Carmela.
"As you can see, there's been some work done already," Robinson said before starting the short program to bless the build.
Velazquez is helping build her new house as part of her 350 hours of "sweat equity," which Habitat requires from all partner families. Just before the program began at 11 a.m. Saturday, Velazquez was working with the volunteer crew as they put up another section of wall.
Velazquez said she is incredibly excited to move into her new home once its finished, adding the neighborhood and the neighbors she's met so far have all been wonderful. Her daughter is already deciding decorations and is most excited about having her own room, Velazquez said, noting the two currently share a bedroom.
"I am so excited," Velazquez said.
The home on Gateway Drive is the 96th local build in Jefferson City for Habitat and the 11th Habitat home in Jefferson City sponsored by Thrivent Financial. Robinson also noted Quaker has donated all the windows for many local Habitat builds, including the current one on Gateway Drive.
The property was donated by John and Cindy Suttenfield, who also were present at Saturday's blessing.
Once the blessing was given, those in attendance Saturday were encouraged to write a message to the new homeowners on the stud walls, a Habitat tradition.