The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Neal family of Sisters has come home.

They celebrated that homecoming in a Sisters Habitat for Humanity dedication ceremony on October 6, in the Village Meadows neighborhood. The family of five expressed their thanks and appreciation for everyone who made their home a reality.

John Neal said, “Thanks to everyone coming together and getting this done (during) this challenging year. It’s one positive thing coming out of 2020. Thanks everybody!” Ashley Neal echoed her husband’s sentiments, saying, “To all the volunteers and all the people at Habitat, our family partners, we’re very glad to see the finish line! Thank you!”

The children, Henry, Gwen, and Tristan, squealed with delight as they showed off their new rooms; one room has a rainbow painted across the corner and ceiling.

Susan Cobb makes a quilt for every Habitat home dedication and one was presented to the Neal family.

The Neals were welcomed to the neighborhood with words from neighbor, Michelle Ehr.

“We are looking forward to the day you move in and there are more children playing in the neighborhood — children learning to ride bikes and playing between houses,” Ehr said.

Volunteers and the Neal family worked alongside each other to complete the home — Sisters Habitat’s 70th in the area — since breaking ground in the fall of 2019. It took approximately 3,600 volunteer hours and $96,000 in materials to complete the three-bedroom, two-bath home.

The Meyer Memorial Trust and Oregon Housing and Community Services assisted Sisters Habitat in purchasing the property nearly a decade ago. One hundred and thirty-seven donors gave approximately $43,000 toward the completion of the project. Small businesses and corporations made donations of materials along the way. Other major sources of funding came from the sale of products at the Thrift Store and ReStore as well as the mortgage payments paid by current Habitat homeowners. Sisters Habitat is extremely grateful for the community’s steadfast support.

Those interested in homeownership, home repair, or volunteering with Sisters Habitat can visit www.sistershabitat.org or call the Habitat office at 541-549-1193.