Charitable organization joined by Chamber of Commerce to celebrate; affordable home repair program now available

This article is brought to you by Freedom Financial.

The Chamber of Commerce joined with Habitat for Humanity for the first time in celebrating Habitat’s 68th build in the Kokomo community. A blessing and dedication ceremony was held on Jan. 14, to welcome the Van Ness family to their new home, and the place was packed with well-wishers.

As is the standard procedure for a Habitat build, the community was welcomed to tour the newly built home and to participate in praying a blessing over the house. With a full contingent of Chamber members joining the Habitat faithful and the recipient family, the modest house on East Laguna Drive was filled almost to capacity as an opening prayer was read.

Pastor Justin Markley of Fresh Start Ministries read a passage from Mark 12:28-31, which describes the two most important commandments one should follow. The first is to love the Lord with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

He followed with 1 John 3:16-18.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

The Van Ness family then was given lit candles, as Markley blessed the living room of the house.

“We gather to celebrate faithfulness and commitment with the Van Ness family, to call to the call of our Lord to put our faith into action,” said Markley. “May this home we dedicate today become a beacon of hope for this family and for others. May we share our great gratitude for all those who have made this possible.”

What followed was a dedication of each room of the house; the family following along and participating dutifully. For the most part.

“There’s a bathroom in here!” one of the children shouted, surprised by the facility attached to her bedroom.

The crowd chuckled as the children no longer could hold back their excitement about their new home.

Sabrina Van Ness’ friend, Becky, also took the time to speak, praising her friend as they celebrated the new home.

“I just want to tell you that she’s a wonderful person. She’s dedicated and loyal, and she’s just one of the nicest people I know.”

The 68th Habitat for Humanity build in the Kokomo community was accomplished with the efforts of dozens of volunteers, along with members of the Van Ness family, who provided sweat equity as part of their agreement to be chosen as the recipients of the home.

Sponsors who made the build possible include Sycamore Financial, Red Diamond General Contracting, the Community Foundation Serving Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties, Brady Insurance, Chariot Automotive, Community First Bank of Indiana, Duke Energy, Eriks Chevrolet, First Farmers Bank & Trust, functional Devices, Haynes International, Mid-America Beverage Inc., NIPSCO, Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union, and StarPlus Energy.

Habitat for Humanity also has launched a Small Home Repair Program to help local homeowners with critical home repairs. Applications are being accepted until March 1 for the first round of the program, which offers up to $5,000 in materials and 0-percent interest loans.

Applicants must live in Kokomo, own their home, have current homeowners’ insurance, demonstrate a repair need, and be willing to partner and pay for an affordable loan.

Those interested in applying, or learning more about Habitat for Humanity, are encouraged to call 765-452-2185.