Habitat for Humanity helps family feel at home in Siloam Springs
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The sharp drone of power tools has died down at 615 S. Maxwell St. in Siloam Springs. The sunny voices of 10 year old Adriana Barbosa and her seven year old brother, Brandon, have taken the place of hammer thwacks and engines revving.
They have finally come home.
During a community dedication Thursday evening that was attended by over 50 family members, friends and supporters, the Barbosa children, and their mother, Heather, were handed the key to their brand new 1, 100 square foot home.
As Siloam Springs Mayor M. L. "Moose"Van Poucke passed the front door key to the single mother, he smiled, ton County residence to ever be built in Siloam Springs, said Debby Wieneke, executive director for the Benton County Habitat for Humanity chapter.
"This has been one of our easiest and best builds in a long time," Wieneke said. "Siloam Springs was here ready to help with anything we asked for from the first meeting."
Barbosa, a five year Siloam Springs resident, was on the Habitat for Humanity waiting list for nearly two years when she was told that she was selected as the next candidate to receive a home.
In order to qualify as a candidate, Barbosa was required to help another family build their home, file extensive paperwork, present tax information and attend various orientation and budget meetings. Barbosa also dedicated 400 hours of personal "sweat equity"to the build.
Under an interest free loan granted by Habitat for Humanity, Barbosa will pay $ 305 monthly toward her mortgage for the next 25 years.
"This is such a blessing for this wonderful family," Wieneke said. "There are few who are more deserving than Heather and her kids."
In response to an outpouring of suptold her that she had picked a fine town to establish her family roots and joked with her that, considering the family's state of residence, her Oklahoma State University T-shirt was slightly out of place.
The home, which appraised at $ 85, 000 and was constructed for under $ 65, 000, is the first Habitat for Humanity of Ben- port from local volunteers, businesses and individuals Habitat for Humanity officials penciled Siloam Springs into their schedule to begin construction on June 21. The official groundbreaking took place in May.
The three-bedroom two-bathroom home, built completely by volunteer labor, fundraising and donations, took about two months to build from start to finish.
Area banks, including Arvest, played an integral part in forming building committees, serve meals to workers and appealing to customers for donations and raising necessary funds.
During the home dedication ceremony several contributors to the build joined at the site to welcome the family. The Barbosas were given several house warming gifts, gave brief speeches and thanked patrons for their hard work and good tidings.
During the ceremony a representative from the Siloam Springs Lowe's revealed that the local business would be donating landscaping services and supplies to complete the project.
Over the weekend, while the Barbosas were moving into their new home, a large swingset donated by Leisure Time Products was set up in the backyard. The family was given a $ 500 giftcard for home supplies from Wal Mart and will have a donated shed set up in the backyard as well, Wieneke said.
In addition to receiving several housewarming baskets, the family was given a wall hanging and each member of the family received personalized quilts.
"We just want to thank you all so much," Barbosa said. "This really made such a huge difference in our lives."
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