Published: May 04, 2008 12:16 am            

Habitat volunteers always get more than they bargain for

It wasn't long after Hurricane Katrina destroyed my home that I volunteered to help another person in Meridian rebuild through Habitat for Humanity.

It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in helping a deserving person in need.

I think it would have been just as rewarding to me, even if I hadn't had any damage in the storm, but I've noticed a lot of people who suffered in that storm have made it a point to help others through Habitat.

May 11-16 marks the 25th Annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity. The Carters started helping to build Habitat houses in 1984, and they will be on the Gulf Coast for the second year in a row to help build and renovate Habitat homes. The goal is to complete work on 300-400 houses in the region by the end of the year.

Here in Meridian the Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity will start work on a home for the Tiffany Dellsperger Family, a 25-year-old single mom who lost her home in Chalmette, La., during Hurricane Katrina. Her children are aged 5 and 2. Her home will be built near the Lauderdale community.

Volunteers are needed. When I volunteered I did so as a member of the Meridian Civitan Club. Members of the group are planning to help our local Habitat again this year.

I hope this year that all civic organizations, churches, military groups, youth groups, school groups, businesses and individuals will find time to attempt to round up a few volunteers for Habitat.

If you can't help actually build houses, Habitat always needs volunteers to supply meals for the workers.

Habitat also accepts donations of money and materials.

Since Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976, the ecumenical Christian ministry has built more than 250,000 homes around the world. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and they are financed with affordable loans.

In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, which is called "sweat equity" into building their Habitat house and others.

If you'd like to know more about Habitat for Humanity, or if you're ready to have some fun and feel good about helping out a family in need of a good home, call Fonda Rush, executive director of Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity at (601) 485-4992 or (601) 479-0515.



Steve Gillespie is managing editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at

sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.



To learn more about Habitat for Humanity or to volunteer, call Fonda Rush, executive director of Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity at (601) 485-4992 or (601) 479-0515.

During a luncheon and press conference held Friday at the Citizens National Bank Downtown Banking Centre, the following people were recognized for their work with Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity:

• Citizens National Bank officers: Barney Ridinger, Della Craig, Sid Wilkinson, and LaBaron Hedgemon.

• Other volunteers: Charles Blake, The Meridian Board of Realtors, and Tim Allred.

        

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