Editorial: Celebrate Habitat by volunteering

Published 1:01 pm Sunday, April 2, 2017

Habitat for Humanity, Dalton-Whitfield & Murray celebrated its 30th anniversary Thursday night with an event called “Gene Kirk — Legacy of Hope” in honor of Gene Kirk, one of the founders of the organization and also the first Habitat builder in Whitfield County.

Several others who have played key roles in Habitat were also recognized, including Charles Bowen, the Rev. Joel Mason and Lloyd Tripp.

A Habitat homeowner provided the perspective of those who benefit from the important work this organization does in our communities.

This Habitat affiliate, which has the vision of “a world in which everyone has a decent place to live,” was started in 1987. According to its website, it has renovated more than 50 homes for families during that time.

The website also lists the affiliate’s “guiding principles” of demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, focusing on shelter, advocating for affordable housing, promoting “dignity and hope” and supporting “sustainable and transformational development.”

Habitat promotes dignity by not just giving homes to individuals or families. Instead, each homeowner must buy the home through a 0 percent interest mortgage and then make monthly payments.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful organization here, and we celebrate these founding members of Habitat and those who are continuing their legacy today.

But it’s important to add that volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

“From the time a partner family applies, to the time a partner family is given their key to their new home and living in their home, volunteers play a part in helping build lives,” Habitat’s website says.

These volunteers come from churches and corporations and the public at large. Habitat’s board members are volunteers, and volunteers serve at Habitat’s ReStore, the administrative office and the construction sites.

So if you can volunteer to help with Habitat we hope you will do so. You and others will be blessed.

And we thank the founders of the local Habitat affiliate, those who have maintained it along the way, including the board members, and other volunteers through the years for their service.

Your efforts have improved the lives of many and that is always worth celebrating.