It was a “dream come true” for the Memedi family, who needed a better place to live but was not in a position to purchase a home to suit their needs.
Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, Pa. dedicated their 14th house Sunday afternoon, March 7. Teary-eyed, keys for their new home were handed over to Al Memedi, with his wife Bobby Jo and five year old daughter Rebecca standing at his side.
The house at 216 Columbus Avenue, just outside Hawley Borough, took a little longer to complete. Once the subdivision of the lot was resolved last year, building proceeded through the fall. Retired builder Clyde Kreider supervised at least 30 volunteers. Many being retired, a lot of the helpers went south for the winter, so work continued only slowly.
Habitat President Mark Graziadio said that the opening of any of their homes is a great event, and thanked the family for being patient. As with all their projects, the benefiting family participated. Al Memedi did a lot of painting, and contributed well over the 350 hours required.
Mr. Memedi said he is “very, very grateful” and was doubly blessed to both have their new home, and the same day, his mother, brother and sister and their families were all there. Mrs. Memedi commented that where they have been renting, they didn’t have a backyard for their little girl. Rebecca’s Head Start teacher told them about Habitat, and they decided to apply. “This is heaven sent,” she said. “I never thought it would happen.”
Presentations were made of a Bible, an American flag, a mailbox, a quilt and homeowner’s manual along with the long awaited keys. A gift from the Audubon Society was forthcoming.
Graziadio noted that each gift is symbolic. The Bible brings the homeowners comfort and inspiration; the mailbox will brings years of greetings; the flag is a symbol of their citizenship and responsibilities to their country and community. The Audubon item, often a bird feeder, reminds them of stewardship of the land. The quilt epitomizes many small pieces that comes together- it took many hands to provide this house- to offer comfort, warmth and security.
Rev. Ryan Krause offered prayer and the family and Habitat volunteers sang “God Bless America.”
Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, Pa. dedicated their first house in 1990. Graziadio stated that they are considering a couple offers of land to hopefully build their 15th home, this year. One lot is in Browndale and the other is in southern Wayne County, he said. Land for the 14th home was purchased by Habitat.
Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian ministry enlisting the support of people of all faiths who are drawn together by their concern for meeting the basic human need for decent housing. Qualified low income families, in addition to putting in hundreds of hours on the project, obtain a low-down payment, no-interest mortgage for their new home.
Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, Pa.
For information:
Call: (570) 251-8115
E-mail: hfh18431@localnet.com
Visit: http://www.hfhwcpa.com/
