Habitat celebrates two new homes

A little frost and freezing rain couldn't keep Sisters Habitat for Humanity volunteers from coming together last week to celebrate the completion of two new homes on Greenridge Avenue.

Chrys Purkey and her son Devin, a kindergartner at Sisters Elementary School, are now living next door to Jeannie Sandecki. Both women put in well over their required 500 hours of sweat equity with saws and hammers, and pots and pans -turning out meals and treats for the many volunteers who poured their time, energy and hearts into the construction of these two homes.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board Chair Kevin Neary opened the dedication ceremony, and Father Ted Rodrigues from the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration was there to give the opening prayer. Lynn Jones, board member and "super-builder," asked everyone to join her in singing "Bless This House."

Chapter Executive Director Sharlene Weed told the story of the land purchase for these homes in 2010 with a zero-interest loan from Habitat for Humanity Oregon and thanked the people and businesses that helped bring this project together - Fred Ast & Associates for their pro bono survey work, the City of Sisters for its affordable housing density bonus; Marie Clausen and the 16-member partnership committee that helped provide the homeowner education program, sweat equity, and support through the process of home-ownership; and the Habitat Thrift Store and ReStore for financial assistance in putting the project together.

She thanked Chris Mayes for his design work, the Sisters High School construction crew for building the walls, and Women Build for all their hard work putting those walls up. Weed also expressed gratitude for $3,000 down-payment assistance from Oregon Housing & Community Services.

Jennifer Knoll, a former Habitat for Humanity homeowner in 2001, said this program gives a different meaning to the word home: "It's not just laying a foundation and putting up walls, it grows from a great need to building a great life."

She has since been able to purchase her own home.

Construction manager Shawn O'Hern gave thanks to all the volunteers who had a hand in these two simultaneous projects and acknowledged donated items, such as free roofing materials from Certainteed, delivered thanks to Hoyt's Hardware & Building Supply; a refrigerator and stove for each house from Whirlpool; boxes of free cleaning products for each homeowner from Proctor & Gamble; and help with landscaping by a team from U.S. Bank Sisters.

O'Hern made special mention of 87-year-old Ed Patterson,. who has been making the cabinets for Habitat homes for many years and will now be retiring. Patterson also knitted a beautiful afghan to bless each new Habitat home.

Ken Purkey gave a special blessing for his daughter Chrys' new home. He started working at the ReStore to earn equity hours for her but likes it so much that he is still one of store manager Robin Tawney's cherished volunteers.

Family partners Paula Reents and Sydney Harrison introduced the Purkeys and Carolyn Gabrielson introduced Sandecki, each telling the story of their journey together leading up to this very emotional ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new homeowners expressed gratitude to everyone for helping their dream of home-ownership come true through tears of joy and laughter. They cut the red ribbons across their doors and were surrounded by the love of the Habitat for Humanity family partners.

The ceremony was followed by a tour of the inside of both homes, with hot coffee and baked goods for all who braved the cold temperatures to show their support for the grateful new homeowners, Chrys and Devin Purkey, and Jeannie Sandecki.

For more information on Habitat programs and volunteer opportunities, call Volunteer and Family Services Manager Marie Clasen at 541-549-1740.