July 7, 2007

Habitat for Humanity is happy to bring affordable housing to the people of Charlottesville . Saturday was the first build day for two new habitat homes on Riverside Avenue in Charlottesville.

The families who will move into the homes are helping with construction, and they hope to move in before Thanksgiving.

"It's a new beginning for my family having traveled half way around the globe from the Philippines with nothing with us, just two pairs of luggage and our hopes and our dreams, and today we find that dream a reality," said Ramon Balangue, who will be moving into the house.

Organizers announced $100,000 had been raised to build the new houses. Volunteers hope Saturday is a new beginning for the families that will live here and the community surrounding them.

"This is something really special and it's the start of a huge thing, so I would just say if you want to come along we'd love to have you," said Steve Sergeant of the Blur Ridge Mountain Rotary Club.

If you want to volunteer and help build this home with the families,
contact Habitat for Humanity of greater Charlottesville at 434-293-9066.