Judith McCombs and her grandson now live in the 100th home built by River City Habitat for Humanity.
"It feels like Christmas," McCombs told the News Tribune. "The process was long and hard, but it was so worth it."
River City's Habitat for Humanity's mission is to promote hope and strength in the community and affirm faith in God by partnering with families to build safe, affordable houses where families can grow.
During the dedication ceremony, supporters of all walks joined McCombs in the celebration of her first time as a homeowner. She now owns a home in the 1400 block of East High Street.
Melinda McCombs, Judith's daughter, said she made sure to support her mother throughout the entire process.
"My mother worked hard for this home, she really deserves it," Melinda McCombs said.
Jim Branch, 1st Ward city councilman; Susan Cook, executive director of Habitat; Matthew Schofield, fire chief; and Laurelanne Bellezzo and Peggy Jensen from the local Zonta Club were among McComb's supporters.
Mary Schantz, vice president of the River City Habitat for Humanity board, welcomed everyone to celebrate.
"We all celebrate milestones in our lives, and this time is no different," Schantz said. "It helps keep us motivated, and it shows a sense of achievement."
She emphasized the 100th house was not only special to the Habitat families but also to Jefferson City.
Kyle Kittrell, River City Habitat construction manager, explained construction on the new home began in August and was completed in 98 days. He praised McCombs for her hard work throughout the process.
Kittrell also mentioned for every house Habitat builds, the organization sends money overseas to build homes in Malawi, Africa.
Before closing on a home, the partner family for each build will log 350-450 hours of sweat equity as a down payment on the home. They will pay a 25-year, no-interest mortgage to River City, as well as homeowners' taxes and insurance annually. Their house payments will help build future Habitat homes in Cole County.
Marlene Medin, the McCombs family support partner, was honored to present the keys and a bible to the firsttime homeowner at the end of the ceremony.
During the ceremony, McCombs was also presented with a stepping stone from Heisinger Bluffs Senior Living, a quilt and a cookbook from the Missouri River Quilt Guild, home supplies from the Zonta Club and a box of books from Scholastics.