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Sunday of the project. Instead of cutting Future homeowner Elda Torres (in white hardhat above) assists on the site of her new
a ribbon, the recipients use a saw to cut Georgetown home. Elda will work 300-500 hours of “sweat equity” as part of her
a wood board. New homeowners are payment arrangement with Habitat for Humanity Williamson County.
presented with keys, as well as a small
tool kit and a Bible. For many volunteers, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 SUNRAYS | 71
this ceremony is the part that makes it
all count.

“Being present at the ceremony of handing
over the keys has been touching,” says Sun
City resident Wayne Johnson, who signed
up to work with HFHWC at the 2015
Volunteer Fair. “Seeing the excitement
and gratitude on the faces of the family,
the support and encouragement of the
volunteers – it’s very moving.”

Chuck and LaVerne Dawson agree. “To
see a family go into the finished house and
get the keys, the look of joy, tears, absolute
happiness and disbelief is something to
see. To see their faces when they have their
very own home for the first time in their
lives…” – that’s what keeps this couple
involved. Together, the Dawsons have
helped to build 97 houses in Louisiana
and Texas. Both insist that they get more
from volunteering than they give. LaVerne
serves as a mentor for families, walking
them through their new responsibilities
and expenses. Because many recipients
are single mothers, LaVerne will often
provide childcare as well, ensuring the
mother is able to put in her required
sweat equity. LaVerne says that some
homeowners feel overwhelmed by the
experience, but the support and assurance
of her fellow volunteers reminds them that
they are not in this alone.

“Handing over the keys at the completion
is always very touching,” says volunteer
and homeowner advocate Nikki Stromp,
adding that “often city and state officials
are present” for the occasion, impressing
upon all both the triumph as well as the
seriousness of the situation.

A few weeks after the last home was
moved into, Stromp called on the new
owners to see how they were doing.
“It’s wonderful to see the proud family
in their new home, all fresh and new.
It is wonderful to see the benefits they
experience. But it’s not a free gift. They
earn it. They pay their mortgage and work
hard.” But, says Stromp, “in the end, the
rewards make it all worthwhile.”

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