Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Two Homes While Planning Four New Ones for Tornado Affected Families

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) is thrilled to announce that they are dedicating both homes that were involved in their week long blitz build last year on May 17, 2012 at 1:30pm at 13 & 15 Quincy St., Mayor Sarno will be in attendance to welcome the two families home.  New homeowners, Monica and Erroi Frater and their six children will be moving into one side of the two family home and Rosa Clase and her three children will be moving into the other.
 
The dedication will close the chapter of the Quincy St. blitz build in which hundreds of volunteers came together to make the home weather tight within a week. Hundreds more have contributed to completing the homes which were built with 90% volunteer labor.  “My husband and I are raising our four daughters and two sons as proud parents,” said Monica Frater. “We hope to give back to them a loving beautiful home with a back yard for fun and happy days in the sun.”

The families will be on hand at the ceremony to talk about how Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity has changed their lives, and how much they appreciate the tremendous community support surrounding this project. “I am so pleased to have this opportunity to participant in today’s dedication along with Habitat for Humanity,” commented Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “The work of this organization is commendable and is done in a manner that is not only efficient and effective, but more importantly, heartfelt.” Following the dedication there will be tours of the homes that other programs in the neighborhood revitalization efforts have built; including HAP, Rebuilding Together, and Springfield Neighborhood Housing. The collective efforts are already changing the shape of the Old Hill neighborhood.

The Quincy St. project was the result of a city effort to create stable and affordable housing. The City of Springfield generously partnered with Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity to carry on their mission of building simple, decent, and affordable housing in the Old Hill neighborhood of Springfield.

In addition to Mayor Domenic Sarno, other attendees at the press event will include Jennifer Schimmel, Executive Director of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity; Bob Perry, Board President, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity; Walt Tomala, President TNT General Contracting; and both families.

The dedication will be the capstone to a wonderful chapter for the affiliate, and the beginning of a new one as they build four new homes for tornado affected families starting on the anniversary of the tornado June 1, 2012. The family selection process is still going on and tornado affected families are encouraged to apply. Entering their 25th year of service in the community the four new homes will represent Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity’s enduring commitment to the greater Springfield community.