Former active duty Marine Kristen Haley is officially a Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer Counties home owner as of Wednesday, September 30.
“We owe a humongous thanks to Attorney Laura J. Ray and her all-star team,” Executive Director Christopher Hall said. “For more than a decade, Laura Ray has offered her services for all Habitat’s closings at no cost to the homeowners.”
Last year, Haley and her family were selected for a home through Habitat’s Homeownership program.
The program assists families who show a need for adequate housing.
Haley and her family moved into the home after it was dedicated December 15.
“It’s a true blessing to see each family invest hundreds of hours as part of their sweat equity that includes building their home and others, completing home buyer readiness courses and ultimately achieving their dream of homeownership,” Hall said of the program.
A native of Gainesville, Florida, Haley is the mother of three children: Kinsley, Kayson and Kaleb.
She moved to Blue Ridge 14 years ago, and was enlisted in the United States Marine Corp from 2005 to 2009.
Haley’s new home is the second to be built in McCaysville through the program, and it was completed last December after five months of construction.
“None of this is possible without the countless hours invested by volunteers, or as we like to call them ‘Habiteers,’” Hall said. “From pounding nails to serving lunches on site during the builds, to the behind-the-scenes work that many committees take on while completing the plans, working with subcontractors and helping to select and support partner families during the process, our volunteers are the heart and backbone of Habitat.
“We also thank each and every donor. It takes many individuals, businesses, faith groups and community organizations coming together and investing in Habitat for Humanity to build or repair one home at a time in partnership with one family at a time.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or seeking information on the Homeownership program should visit www.hfhfanningilmer.org.
The next Homebuyer Orientation meeting, attendance is required to be considered for the program, is scheduled to begin in January or February with the next home build by early spring.