Rose and Richard Rose move in new house

Sunday will be the big day for Rose and Richard Rose.

At 1 p.m., family, friends and Habitat for Humanity volunteers will gather at 304 First Street in Farmington to dedicate the Rose’s new house and officially turn the keys over to them. The Roses will be presented with a Bible and a homeowner’s notebook donated by Missouri Extension.

Rose told Habitat for Humanity volunteers she can’t wait to sit on her porch and use her new refrigerator — the first she’s ever owned that had shelves in it.

The group’s 10th home will be built on School Street in Bonne Terre. That project is expected to start within the next 30 days. Work days will be held each Saturday, beginning at about 8 a.m.

Paula Franks and her two children will be moving into that home. She works for Head Start and volunteers for Meals on Wheels. She wrote a paper about Habitat for a college course she was taking. She realized she might qualify to be a Habitat homeowner and applied.

Cindy Dotson’s family hopes to be the next habitat family. She’s waiting for a lot in Farmington to become available.

The homes don’t come free — owners pay for the house but without interest. Owners must be able to put down a $500 cash down payment.

Also, the family is required to put in 400 hours of sweat equity. Sweat equity is equity homeowners earn by working to build their home with Habitat volunteers.

On Wednesday, Linda Dickerson, executive director of the local Habitat For Humanity, spoke at the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce to let members know that anyone can be a volunteer.

“There’s something each of you could do for Habitat,” she said, adding that helping out is a good way to learn new skills.

Volunteers need to be at least 16 years old. They should bring a hammer if they have one. No skills, construction knowledge or big muscles are necessary.

In the past, Habitat volunteers here have built one house a year. This year, with their first full-time paid director, the goal is to build two homes, but that means they need more volunteers and more monetary donations. Businesses can receive tax credits.

The group is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry with a mission to rid the county of poverty or substandard housing. Homes have been built in Farmington, Park Hills and Bonne Terre. For more information, call 573-760-1702 or visit http://www.hfhsfc.org

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.