MOUNT VERNON — Habitat for Humanity and Avery and Haily Silliman dedicated a home on Wednesday afternoon in front of family, community partners, and guests.
The home dedication comes at the conclusion of construction that began in the spring, on a lot sold to Habitat by the Knox County Land Bank and a process that began for Haily and Avery and their two children in September of 2021.
The dedication of the home is also a beginning for the family who will pay an affordable mortgage for their home.
The ceremony began with an invocation from Habitat board President, David Wilkes, and words from Affiliate Director Terry Schulz. Terry thanked Avery and Haily for their time and dedication to the process as well as Ariel Corporation, Park National Bank, The Peter Creek Fund and the Elizabeth Ring Mather and William Gwinn Mather Fund who helped to sponsor the home build.
Many other partners assisted Habitat for Humanity donating time and materials to the project, The Knox County Career Center students built the walls and assisted Habitat volunteers on site setting the trusses. Kenyon College students built the walls for the garage and had volunteers on site throughout construction, and Coffing Electric provided the electrical work to Habitat free of charge.
Of course most of the work was completed by volunteers. Over the course of construction Habitat had over 60 different volunteers on site and those volunteers logged well over 1500 hours. Gifts were also presented to the family by community leaders and Habitat partners. Gifts included flowers, bread, salt and sugar, each with a meaning and a wish of health and happiness to the new homeowners.
The ceremony closed with all present laying hands on the home and offering a blessing to the home and the family who will live there for years to come.
Habitat for Humanity will shift its focus to the next project in Knox County with another family that are already looking forward to their home ownership opportunity. Habitat is also opening up an application period March 1 to 31, looking for potential homeowners in Knox County. Habitat has home ownership opportunities in Mount Vernon and Fredericktown for this round of applications.
Interested applicants can visit www.hfhknoxoh.org for more information about how to apply and the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership process.
Habitat for Humanity is always looking for community members who want to get more involved with Habitat and the mission of making sure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. For more information on how you can get involved visit Habitat Knox’s website or call Affiliate Director, Terry Schulz at 740-324-5407.
Habitat is always looking for volunteers, and sponsors for their next homeownership opportunity.
Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio is part of the Habitat for Humanity network that works together to build homes, communities, and hope globally since 1976 and here in Knox county since 1987. Habitat for Humanity has served over 30 families throughout Knox County and millions around the globe with the dream of homeownership and affordable mortgage payments since their founding.
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