FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Family enjoys Christmas in their first home thanks to Habitat for Humanity
Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Last year at this time, we lived in a very bad trailer off of Radio Road. It was two bedrooms and eight of us shared it. Our rent was $1,000 a month even though the trailer was falling apart.

My wife and I were sharing a bedroom with our two sons while my brother-in-law and his family lived in the other bedroom. For 10 years, I have been a landscaper at Grey Oaks and my wife has worked at McDonald’s for three years. We never thought we would be able to have a home of our own and then a friend told us about Habitat for Humanity.

After a long application process and a home visit from Habitat volunteers, we found out we had been approved for a home. It was the happiest day of our lives. Finally, our sons would have rooms of their own and a safe place to play outside.

Right away we started working our 500 hours of sweat equity. We worked with many volunteers and we think it is a very good thing that so many people in the community are willing to come out and help. After we finished our hours we even kept working so we could help other families. When we finally bought our house, I just looked at my wife and said, “Now we have a real home.”

To the Habitat donors I say thank you a million times over. I hope you will continue to give so that other families in bad situations will have this same opportunity.

As we repay our interest-free mortgage each month, we know that we are helping to build homes for other families. Thank you to the Habitat for Humanity volunteers and donors for making this first Christmas in our new home very special.

Merry Christmas to all,
The Garcia Family
Manuel, Sandra, Junior and Cristian