Page 18 - Explore White County 2020

18SS SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • EXPLORE WHITE COUNTY
ADVERTISING BUSINESS FEATURE
Top Left: Workers from Absolute Roofing and Construction pose with members of the Brown family, who bought a home built by Habitat for Humanity of White County. The organization strives to build affordable housing for those in need. Top Right: Logan Stafford, an employee at Habitat for Humanity of White County’s ReStore, unloads items from a truck. Bottom: Karin Burress, who co-owns Absolute Roofing and Construction, said the business is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a home that will last a lifetime.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WHITE COUNTY
SUBMITTED/FILE PHOTOS
501-268-5589 habitatwhiteco.org
Since 2006, Habitat for Humanity of White County has been building affordable, high-quality housing for deserving families across the area.
Each year, with the help of local donations and the elbow grease of its business partners, the organization works to build one home for a family in need. Rick Eichhorn, executive director of Habitat for Hu- manity of White County, said the support of local plumbers, banks, contractors and other companies is paramount to the organization’s mission.
“Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities and hope,” Eichhorn said. “None of this can be accomplished without the support and partnership of local businesses. Habitat affiliates are independent, local nonprofit organizations that act in furtherance of the Habitat for Humanity International mission. Each affiliate co- ordinates all aspects of its projects, including the funding of Habitat homebuilding in its area. Local businesses — through their donations of volunteers, materials and money — are vital to building an afford- able home.”
Eichhorn said each family contributes at least 300 hours of “sweat equity” to their home, as well as completing 40 hours of homeowner education classes.The family then makes a down payment and pur- chases the home through an affordable no-interest mortgage.
“Handing the keys to our partner family at the home-dedication ‘blessing’ is the culmination of all that Habitat is about,” Eichhorn said. “Home dedications are the frosting on the Habitat cake, so to speak. They are the sweet celebration of another Habitat family completing the process of homeownership. It’s an emotional time, to say the least, and tears are shed. Those attending truly witness the heart of our work and get to congratulate the soon-to-be homeowners.
“Dedication ceremonies include thanks to sponsors, contractors and volunteers; words of appreciation from the new homeowners; the giving of gifts, including a Bible; new house keys; and more.
White County Judge Michael Lincoln attends the dedication of every home that Habitat for Humanity builds in the county and typically leads a prayer to bless the home and the family. He said each dedi- cation is a highlight for his year because of the change the home will make for the family.
“It just thrills me every time I get to witness one of these [dedica- tions],” he said.“I can’t think of a better worthwhile program to help provide affordable housing for a very deserving family.”
A big part of each project is the actual construction of the home. Many local businesses lend materials and expertise to the construc- tion phase. Jim and Karin Burress, owners of Absolute Roofing and ConstructioninSearcy,havepartneredwithHabitatforHumanityof White County since 2011, which is as long as the company has ex- isted.Karinsaidthatassoonasthecouplestartedthecompany,they knew they wanted to help Habitat for Humanity with its mission.
Karin said her company donates material and labor for the roofs of the homes. She said she and Jim were very adamant about the installation of the roofs because of how important that part of the home is. A well-built roof can last a long time, and the company also provides a five-year warranty on its roofs, just in case anything happens.
“For us, being able to get [involved with] an organization and see a family be able to start a new life in a new home — it goes well past the lifetime of a roof,” she said.
Karin said the work that Eichhorn and the rest of the Habitat for Humanity ofWhite County team do is very inspiring,and the Burresses feel blessed to be able to lend a hand.
Other businesses and organizations that contribute to Habitat for Humanity of White County include Quattlebaum Survey, Command Construction, Sid Langley, Wilbourn Title and Closing, Hart Cone Construction, McCoy’s Building Supply, Lowe’s, Adams Pest Control, Overstreet Appraisal Services, Johnny Brock, Dacus Rental and Ridout Lumber, Eichhorn said.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of White County, visit habitatwhiteco.org.