Habitat for Humanity provides new home

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- It's home sweet home for a family who's hard work paid off. Now, they're getting the keys to their new pad.

"Dedication of turning hope in to homes," said Habitat Executive Director Perry Ecton. "Family dreams, always a special day in the Habitat world."

"Welcome home!" Two words 15 families worked so hard to hear inside the Rock Island Oaks Neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend, Saturday. "This is my home built by Habitat for Humanity," said new homeowner Deirdre Thompson. "As you know, I have a 3-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath, so this is the half bath."

Deidre Thompson recently moved in to her new Habitat home. It took a lot of sweat and long days on the construction site to get the keys to unlock her dream. "Actually," said Thompson, "I helped build my own home. I was on the roof, I did the painting. I learned how to do everything as far as building the home, and it was very, very exciting."

Helping make the dream possible for this big group, volunteers and sponsors from all over South Florida.

7News, a proud Habitat sponsor was out on the build site. The Hudson Family Foundation pitched in too. "Habitat represents a great opportunity for these families to make something of themselves and have that gift of home ownership," said Steve Hudson.

The Huizenga Family Foundation also donated their time. "The favorite part is getting to meet the families," said Wayne Huizenga, Jr., "and getting to see how they made their home individualized. Seeing each family get a bible is very, very exciting."

Gary Correll shared his favorite Habitat moments. "I think my favorite part is listening to the families," said the Chairman of the Habitat Broward Board, "and listening to their stories from the heart, to own a home and have the key."

As these families start to make new memories in their new homes, they're thankful to those who got them here. "I would like to thank the sponsors," said Thompson, "and the volunteers who took the time to come out here and help out Habitat families."

The 15 homes that were dedicated on Saturday were sponsored by the Hudson Family Foundation. They were part of a community of 30 homes made possible by the Hudson and Huizenga families.

For more information and how you can help, give Habitat For Humanity a call or you can find link above. WSVN is a proud sponsor of Habitat For Humanity.

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