Habitat for Humanity of North Augusta had a busy week.
The charity organization not only moved in one resident, but started work on its 12th home.
On Sunday, Tammy Harper became the 11th recipient of a Habitat home in North Augusta with the official handing over of the keys at a ceremony.
It came just three days after a groundbreaking ceremony for home recipient Ava Ross.
Habitat President Laurie Lockliear said it's the first time since 2004 that the North Augusta organization has been able to start two homes within one year. The goal in 2010 is to not only begin two homes, but move in two homeowners, she said.
Harper and her four children moved into their four-bedroom habitat home Oct. 24. Not only was it special to work on constructing her own home, Harper said, but her oldest daughter, Brianna, 14, also helped build their home.
"I learned a lot about tools and what different tools were," Harper added. "It was an experience."
Moving into the home and seeing it finished is a relief, she said, stating that she was first turned on to the program because her aunt lives in a Habitat home in Aiken.
Special touches have already been added to the house to make it a home, like new living room furniture, she said.
"It feels more cozier than the other one," she said of her previous residence off Old Edgefield Road.
Harper said she's looking forward to spending her first Christmas in the home.
Habitat also announced its first scholarship. Beginning in the spring, the Legrand Flake Scholarship Fund will reward students for community service and participation with habitat. A $500 scholarship will be given to a high school senior or college student.
Lockliear said she hopes the scholarship will grow to serve more students and that beginning in 2010 contributions can be made to the fund.
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
GET INVOLVED
Want to volunteer with habitat or apply to be a new homeowner? Visit hfhna.org for more information.
