'This is just a blessing'

CRESTVIEW—The efforts of 600 volunteers, contributing more than 3,000 hours of work, culminated Tuesday.

That’s when Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County’s 57^th home officially opened the doors to its new residents.

“It just means so much to me — so much,” Esther Simmons, the homeowner said during the event. “It (the house) is something that I can pass down to my kids.”

Simmons, a mother of three, became familiar with Habitat for Humanity more than 15 years ago but never pursued an opportunity with the organization.

She finally completed an application for homeownership in January 2016 after seeing a home-building site.

Three months later, she got an acceptance call.

One of the requirements for homeownership through Habitat for Humanity is 300 hours of “sweat equity” on the part of the future owner. This equity is completed by volunteering hours at other build sites, at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or by completing personal development classes for topics such as financial management.

Simmons performed about 100 hours of construction into her home, she estimated. She also helped construct another home before beginning on her house.

“I was a little nervous about the sawing part but they taught me everything,” Simmons said.

Mayor David Cadle, several city council members, volunteers and staff from Allen Turner Chevrolet — the official home sponsor— attended the open house.

“What Habitat for Humanity does is such an asset to our community and to the people it services,” Cadle said during the ceremony. “Welcome home.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart and to God above,” Simmons said. “This is just a blessing.”

Habitat for Humanity is constructing its 58th home in the area; it will be next door to Simmons’ residence.

See www.habitatfwb.org for more information on Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County and to learn about its homeownership program.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'This is just a blessing'