New homeowners handed keys to Stayner Habitat homes

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Home dedications are the frosting on the Habitat cake, so to speak. They are the sweet celebration of the community, volunteers, donors, sponsors’ contributions and welcome another Habitat family into partnership, as they start the next stage of their life as new homeowners.
At an emotional dedication key ceremony, Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay unveiled the newly completed homes in Stayner. The new homes provide two new partner families with a decent and affordable place to finally call home.
At the ceremony, Joy Fleury, Executive Director introduced each family and presented them with Welcome Home gifts from Habitat and from existing Habitat Homeowners. Each family proudly placed a ‘SOLD’ sticker on the realtor style for sale sign, cut the ribbon on their new home and received keys from Board Chair, Andrew Turnbull.
Samantha Holmes and her two children were very excited about their new home. “Over the past year, the boys and I have watched a dream unfold, one I honestly thought would never have been possible without the help of Habitat for Humanity,” she said. Our lives will be forever changed for the better. We are overwhelmed with anxiousness, excitement, gratitude and above all relief that we now have a beautiful, safe and affordable place to call our forever home.”
Ashley Mead (with Zakk Atkinson and their young son) was very emotional as she spoke. “Zakk and I weren’t sure how long we could continue living in this region because of the high cost of rent. The thought of having to move away from here made us very upset because we have a son and we know how important it is to be close to family.” Ashley went on to express her gratitude for all the support they have received from Habitat and all those involved in the process, how thankful they were to have a safe place to call home and how they were excited about how having a stable home would change their lives forever.
Zakk Atkinson also took the opportunity to add some heartfelt thoughts about the hopes and dreams for their family – how the plan for their family and the inability to afford a home of their own had changed the direction of that plan.
“Now with the stability of a home of our own, with payments we can afford, we can finally get our dreams and plans back on track.” Part of that dream included asking Ashley to marry him.
In a tear filled and emotional moment, Zakk, on bended knee, proposed to Ashley, who happily said yes!
“This is definitely a first for Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay!” said Fleury, “We see these families from the beginning, we present them with the chance to have this opportunity and it’s an unbelievable feeling to see the family work hard towards the completion of the home, receive the keys to the homes where they’ll start their new lives, but a marriage proposal is really the icing on the cake – the hope for their future multiplied!”
With Habitat’s support, families pay an interest free mortgage payment that is set at 25 per cent of their household income. Families complete 500 hours of volunteer time, during which they participate in the building of their homes from the ground up, through every stage of building which gives them a great appreciation for the end result.
“The generosity of the donors and sponsors helps us keep construction costs down, the food donors were so generous and helped fuel the work of the many volunteers that come back day after day – it’s really overwhelming to see how the community comes together to help families – neighbours helping neighbours.” said Joy Fleury.
Habitat’s next build will also be in Stayner with plans already in the works for next year. To help out on that build or apply to be a Habitat future homeowner, please visit Habitat’s website at www.habitatgeorgianbay.ca or call 705-446-9542 for more information.

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