The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity is building toward a milestone.
A blessing was held Saturday for construction of the 100th home fashioned by River City Habitat for Humanity. The house is being built in the 1400 block of East High Street and will be occupied by Judy McCombs and her grandson.
The home will fulfill a dream for McCombs, who said: "There's a place to put my flowers, and you get to take care of a yard."
And it also extends the organization's international Christian mission to eliminate poverty housing and provide decent homes to qualifying families.
To qualify, prospective homeowners must accept responsibilities, including project assistance and loan repayment.
Habitat volunteers have set an impressive pace since the local chapter was founded in 1992 and started construction in 1993, including the 10-home "blitz build" in the aftermath of the Flood of '93.
"We've averaged five to six homes a year," said Norm Robinson, chapter president, who noted some of the projects have been rehabilitation of existing homes instead of new construction.
The chapter's executive director, Kelly Smith, praised Jefferson City as "such a giving community," and added the local generosity has advanced the "house-for-house" initiative, where the chapter finances an international build for every project done locally.
In addition to the 100 local projects, the River City chapter estimates more than 100 houses have been built elsewhere through the initiative.
Opportunities to volunteer for Habitat go far beyond nailing roofing shingles or framing walls. In addition to construction, volunteers can help with the Re-store, can recycling, fundraising, site selection, family ministry and more.
In addition, Habitat is among the organizations that benefits when the people who are helped become the helpers. It is not uncommon for Habitat homeowners to volunteer for other projects and to share their experiences with prospective homeowners.
We join in congratulating the River City chapter on its most recent achievement. Building on its Christian foundation, the organization continues to extend its mission and its pace of construction.