REDWATER, Texas - With a stated vision of seeking a "world where everyone has a decent place to live," the Habitat for Humanity organization's local office continued Saturday to branch out beyond the Twin-Cities's borders.
With one home already completed and sold in Nash, and another property slated for a future home in Hooks, dozens of volunteers, gathered amid brisk mid-morning temperatures to participate in the ground breaking for the most recent of five homes HFH has either finished or will soon complete.
The gathering took place in a semi-rural area in Redwater. There, recent rain saturated soil didn't deter eager volunteers as they set to work clearing the open property of scattered tree branches and litter.
Besides being HFH's furthest reach to date outside of Texarkana, the ground breaking also signalled the first participation of the local Texas Court No. 344 of the Catholic Daughters of Americas.
"I contacted the local Habitat office back in May of last year, and I told them we would like to help build a home - and now here we are ready for it," said Melodie Brunt, CDA Texas State Regent.
Several of the group's members showed up at the ground breaking to demonstrate women's participation in home construction.
Earlier this month, Brunt presented the local HFH office with a $10,000 check as a down payment toward helping compete the Redwater-based project.
Lowe's Texarkana home building and supply outlet has committed to assisting in the home construction throughout the first week of next month.
Shane Franich, with Lowe's, said he recently moved to Texarkana from Greenville, Texas.
"When we first got here, it was during the Christmas Parade and that's how we got involved in the community," he said. "Whatever this house needs, Lowe's will have it."
The home is designated for local resident Peggy Goodwin and her two children, Alexis and Jonathan.
To make financial donations or volunteer for construction work, call 903-832-1746 for more information.