Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

There were no tricks but only treats as the Stearnes family celebrated the completion of their Drakes Branch home on Halloween Saturday.

Stella Stearnes, along with her daughters Martha and Dorothy, gathered with family to cut the ribbon on their new home as Charlotte County volunteers were joined by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Farmville and staff members from Piedmont Habitat for Humanity to complete landscaping and final touches.

According to Director of Resource Development and Marketing Sam Rabon, normally the home dedication ceremony would include family, friends, neighbors, volunteers, and Habitat supporters join together to celebrate with stories, music, and food.

“While such a gathering is unfortunately not currently possible, that did not dampen the joy of the moment,” Rabon said.

Phil Jackson, chair of the Charlotte County Committee of Piedmont Habitat, shared a few words on behalf of all its members, congratulating the family on their new home and presenting them with a board signed by all who had attended the groundbreaking ceremony months earlier.

As with all Habitat home builds, the Stearnes family had invested hundreds of hours volunteering in the construction process.

“Thank God, we’ve got a house,” the family said.

Rabon said the home is a forever home, built on an insulated ground level slab, with 2×6 framing fully insulated, thermal windows, and wrapped in vinyl siding with a metal roof. The doors and hall are extra wide, and bathrooms fully tiled with seamless transition into the shower. The home is designed to be easy to maintain, with easy access as homeowners age. “Everyone deserves a decent place to live is the Habitat slogan, and with the continued help of volunteers and donors we can do this one house at a time.” Jackson said.

Piedmont Habitat for Humanity serves individuals and families who have a demonstrated need for improved housing, the ability to pay an affordable mortgage or affordable repair, and are willing to volunteer hours on their home and another build.

For more information about affordable homeownership or affordable repairs, call (434) 394-3001.