Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The local Habitat for Humanity that services Autauga and Chilton Counties had help from the Air Force First Sergeants from Maxwell Air Force Base Wednesday afternoon.
Habitat for Humanity is a part of a global nonprofit housing organization that strives to bring people together to build not only homes but communities and hope. Habitat is built and operated on Christian principles and seeks to provide God’s love into each action by building those homes, communities and hope on a local level.
The homes that are built are all volunteer based, with several men well above the age of 70, working for the betterment of others.
One of the first sergeants stated that they love to help for a cause like this, because it’s not a free program. Sometimes people don’t appreciate things that come to them for free. He stated that he likes to donate his time for organizations that instill structure and stability in a healthy and uplifting way.
Houses through Habitat for Humanity are not free, they create affordable housing and the ability to repay an affordable mortgage or small loan. The homeowners also receive financial education and complete several hundred hours working alongside other volunteers for either their house or other houses and projects.
Tom Risher, a longtime volunteer for the local branch stated that a lot of the materials are donated from local businesses, like James Hardie, which cuts down on costs a lot.
Applications are not open all year long, executive director Daon Johnson confirmed, and each time a project opens up, a new application must be submitted.
We build houses for low -income families that can’t afford it otherwise. We are also starting a repair program as well. We will be choosing six families to do up to $10,000 in repairs. If someone wants to apply, they can call our office and be put on the contact list. We will then let them know when we have our next application fair,” Johnson said.
For further questions on how to apply, how to donate or how to volunteer call (334) 365-4132 or visit their website at, /www.habitatautaugachilton.org
