South Hall churches to build Habitat home

GAINESVILLE - Habitat of Hall County says it has received a commitment to build a Habitat home in south Hall County.

Executive Director Robb Owens said the project is unique in two respects: The South Hall area is growing fast with available property becoming expensive; and three area churches have organized for a cooperative venture. The churches have agreed to be co-sponsors and work as one entity.

Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian, Chestnut Mountain Church and Blackshear Place Baptist will form teams comprised of members from each church for fund-raising, volunteer recruitment and home construction.

Habitat selected, qualified and approved a South Hall family for this project. All three churches are within 4 miles of the building site.

"This is a unique partnership in that instead of each church working independently, they have decided to combine their teams in order to be more efficient in raising funds, recruiting volunteers and building homes for the neediest and most well deserving members of our community," said Owens.

"We hope that this combined effort will be a seed for more community work in South Hall being driven by church efforts and look forward to working with these churches throughout every stage of the process."

On May 23, another local church, First Baptist on Green Street, joined Habitat in dedicating a house in East Hall which the church built for Petina Barrett and her family, who are church members.