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ALLEYTON – Colorado County Habitat for Humanity held an open house for their 29th home on Friday, July 14, at 318 Canal St.
Former Board President Steve McCullough said this is the third time Habitat has showcased an open house, which gives volunteers and donors a chance to see the final product before the family moves in.
“Some people come out and build, like, maybe do the framing, or one part of it, but they don’t get to see the finish product,” he said. “And so, we do this to kind of showcase the type of homes we’re building and because of volunteers, donors that were able to keep the cost of the house affordable for people that would maybe not normally be able to afford a house of this quality.”
The house has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. McCullough said the model of the home is open concept with vaulted ceilings compared to flat ceilings in some of the previously built homes.
The home was built in partnership with Carvalaus and Natalie Randolph. Carvalaus said he thanks God when he thinks about how his family started the application process back in January to getting the call that they were approved to have a house built.
“It feels amazing you know from the beginning to now. I mean, I have my first time to see how everything is built from the ground up and I really really love it,” Carvalaus said. “I’m still mind-blowing about it and I just can’t believe what God is doing for us. I’m really thankful that we got accepted to be a part of this and Habitat has been so good to us.”
Carvalaus said the family is expected to move into the home on Aug. 1 after they have a house blessing on July 28.
Colorado County Habitat for Humanity said it took 31 working days and over 1250 volunteer hours to build the house. Habitat thanks the following business and groups for their donations and volunteering: McCoys, AL&M, Columbus Walmart, Cavender’s Auto - Columbus, Providence Baptist Church, Boy Scouts Troop 312, First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake, Drymalla, Vogler Painting, Factory Builder Stores, Erbe Ranch Mercantile, Columbus Glass, and Peters and Peters Law Firm.
Habitat also thanks the following individuals: Nils Nilsson, Luke Goedert, Lin Baron, Nicole Findeisen, Christine Feehery, Carter Findeisen, Mary Mattingly, Grace and Steve McCullough, Lin and David O’Connor, Kevin Crozier, Gary Chandler, Kenneth Wicks, Steveling Walling, and more.
Some announcements were made during the open house including that Construction Manager Scott Mattingly will be stepping down from fulltime service but will remain a part of Habitat in the future. Habitat said Mattingly has built 25 of their 29 homes.
McCullough described Mattingly as the backbone of Habitat for Humanity.
Kenneth Wicks was also promoted from vice president of the board of directors to president.
Started in 1996, Colorado County Habitat has been steadily bui lding simple and sturdy homes for local families, according to a release. Habitat said families are charged zero interest and most of the labor is done by volunteers.
