VALDOSTA —
Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity is kicking off its Third Annual Freedom Build at 8 a.m. today on the foundation poured at 402 N. Troup St.
Following opening remarks, volunteers will begin construction and work throughout the day, stopping at six different intervals in observance of the times of impact of the four planes that went down on Sept. 11, 2001 and the falling of each of the Twin Towers.
The work will continue until 4 p.m. then begin again Saturday.
Construction will halt through the week, then commence Sept. 21, 22 and 29.
Four generations will live in the four-bedroom, two-bath house — a great-grandmother, her daughter, the mother’s daughter and her 12-year-old girl.
The Freedom Build is done in remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks, and is geared toward gaining military volunteers. While the volunteer opportunity is open to the public, many of the builders at the event come from Moody Air Force Base, said Volunteer Coordinator Molly Roan.
Out of about 250 volunteers committed to build on all days combined, more than 200 are military, Roan said.
“We like to have events for our builds,” Roan said. “It creates more of a community, creates more awareness and gets more volunteers involved.”
In the past, the Freedom Build was held throughout the week to more closely associate it with 9/11, but Roan has found that more volunteers attend on weekends.
“During the week, we don’t get as many volunteers,” Roan said. “We spread it out to give more people an opportunity to come out and build with us.”
Habitat has helped families in need of low-cost housing in Valdosta for about 25 years, building a total of 190 houses, Roan said. The charity used to build an average of seven houses per year, but that rate has slowed to about one house per year due to limited funding, Roan said. The last Habitat house was completed in March.
Funding for the Troup Street project comes from grant money through Habitat International, Roan said. Habitat receives donations from the Valdosta community, grants from corporations and gifts-in-kind, Roan said.
Local News
Related Photos
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Habitat for Humanity intern Kenysha Thompson, left, and Volunteer Coordinator Molly Roan decorate the 2012 Freedom Build site at 402 N. Troup St. The build begins at 8 a.m. today. Jason Schaefer
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One House (Some Assembly Required): Pallets of lumber lay stacked at the ready beside a foundation surrounded by scaffolding at 402 N. Troup St. Jason Schaefer
Discussion
Habitat volunteers construct house to help family, remember 9/11
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