Habitat to dedicate six 2003 houses

Three of the six homes that will be dedicated by Habitat for Humanity Sunday afternoon. photo by Tom Chace

Sharlene Weed, executive director for Sisters Habitat for Humanity, called it "a miracle."

"Actually multiple miracles when we dedicate six new homes here proving the worth of dozens and dozens of volunteers and new home-owners," she said.

The organization will dedicate the new homes on Sunday afternoon, November 9. The public is invited to share in this multiple dedication, which will be a "progressive affair, similar to an old-fashioned progressive dinner," according to a Habitat news release.

The afternoon dedication begins at 2:30 p.m. at 135 N. Cowboy Street, a few blocks from Sisters Elementary School, with appetizers served to all who come to salute the Cartwright family in their new home.

A main course of soup and chili will be offered around 3:15 p.m. at 415 and 425 Tamarack Street at the homes of the Park and Roberts families.

Cake and cookies will be served at 4 p.m. during the dedication of the homes of Lupe Chamberline, Linn Watson and Carole Goodman, 359, 369 and 379 St. Helens Street.

The Sisters Habitat for Humanity office reported that providing housing for six local families in one year "represents a record for Sisters Habitat, which has averaged just two or three homes per year since its affiliation (with the international organization) in 1991."

Habitat of Sisters gained international attention when it won the (former President) Jimmy Carter award for having the most homes built for its size a few years ago.

Habitat for Humanity International's Western States Director Bruce Peterson and Oregon Housing and Community Services Department Director Bob Repine will speak during the afternoon celebrations. Carolyn Gabrielson, chairman of Sisters Habitat for Humanity, will represent the local chapter.

"In Sisters it is very difficult for working families to find housing that is affordable," said Weed. "Sisters Habitat is doing all it can to help. The Sisters homes are a huge accomplishment for our organization."

Of the six houses, three are new construction with the work done by local volunteers; two are renovated and one was re-purchased from a previous owner.

The renovated homes are on Tamarack Street, moved to that site when the Deschutes River Ranch upgraded its facility and gave these two structures to Habitat.

They were trucked to this location, put on new foundations and practically rebuilt, according to Bob Harris, who headed the volunteer remodeling and rebuilding crew.

A volunteer crew of Girl Scouts, parents and friends from Bend spent a weekend here painting and landscaping the three houses on St. Helens Street two months ago, under the direction of Ruth Peterson, Habitat board member.

Another group of college students came from out of the area, camped out and gave a week of their vacation time to help finish one or more of these homes.

Part of the agreement with the new homeowners is that they, too, must put in hours of time working and finishing their own houses. They also give a large number of hours in other volunteer work throughout the community.

To get to the first house dedication party at 2:30 p.m., Sunday afternoon, turn north from Highway 20 onto Locust Street.

Turn right onto the first street in front of the elementary school; look for direction signs for Cowboy Street.