Two families earn Habitat homes

The large crowd that gathered on the lawns at 130 and 150 Cowboy St. to celebrate with the Foteff and Henninger families on Sunday provided a testament to Habitat for Humanity's spirit of volunteerism. Most of the people who were there had helped build the homes in one way or another, including the new proud homeowners themselves.

Not everyone had wielded a hammer, raised beams or landscaped the lawn. Some hauled trash, brought food to workers, or donated supplies. Others, like the family partners, helped the new homeowners through the qualification process of their new Habitat home, acting as liaison between Habitat for Humanity (HfH) and the homeowner.

Both homes were also the chapter's first Green and Energy Star certified homes. Sharlene Weed, executive director for Sisters HfH, hopes Habitat will continue to provide such homes well into the future. It's a goal they have been working on for a long time.

"We get grants and energy tax credits to offset the increase in cost of installing the energy saving equipment," Weed stated.

Matt Douglas, of Bend's Earth Advantage, a non-profit, inspected the homes for compliance and gave them their top Gold level certification. Douglas commented in his opening speech they were among the best quality homes he had certified.

"We installed ductless mini split heating system in both homes," said Alex Weiss, construction manager for Sisters Habitat. "It was key in getting the green certification. The system heats and cools the

homes."

New homeowner Tammy Henninger said she was very excited about the money-saving aspect of their new

home.

"I am thrilled about the money part," she said referring to the energy savings and her no-interest home loan. "We have been working toward this for over a year and a half, putting in our volunteer hours."

"The best part," added Pete Henninger, "is that our house payment is low enough that if something happened to one of us, the other one could still afford the payment."

"She never thought she would have the opportunity to own a home," said Gayle Hunter, Henninger's co-worker at The Center in Bend. "She's very excited and she often says how blessed she feels to live in a community where this opportunity is possible."

Tracy Foteff, whose parents came in from Arizona to watch the dedication ceremony, was overcome with emotion and simply said, "I love Habitat."

Foteff was notified about the opportunity to receive the home in February, 2010, because the original qualified family backed out of the program. Foteff and her daughter Sydney qualified by August, an unusually fast qualifying time for a HfH home.

Ministers stepped forward, offered prayers, read select Bible verses and gifted the Bible they read from to the respective family. Songs were sung, and other volunteers stepped forward with gifts and congratulations.

"It's always the most exciting thing," said Lois Worcester, a family partner for the Henninger family. "We have the house, but now it is a home."