Family moves into Habitat home in time for Christmas

PHOTO ABOVE

Rob and Christine Nichols of Millersburg received their Christmas present 10 days early as they moved into Presque Isle County?s fifth Habitat for Humanity home over the weekend. Sunday was the dedication ceremony for the three-bedroom home on Cedar Street. For the Nichols family, getting it completed is a dream come true, and instead of wondering what the best gift under the Christmas tree would be this year, they put their tree in it.

?I DIDN?T THINK we were going to do it because there were so many little things that needed to be done,? said Rob, shortly after the ceremony in his kitchen. The Nicholses will live in the house with their son Randy, and were appreciative of the many people involved in its construction.

?I would to thank everyone who helped us build the house. I?m really going to enjoy being in the home. I?m very happy we were selected,? said Christine. The Nicholses and members of their families put in more than the required 250 ?sweat equity? hours of labor, which, along with numerous donations of time and materials from community members and businesses, paid for the house in full. More than 77 people, organizations and churches contributed $15,556 to help meet the cost of the house.

THE NICHOLSES will still have a house payment, which is deposited into the Habitat treasury to help build future homes. ?We?re gathered here as followers of Jesus, who has commanded us to love one another and help one another out,? said the Rev. Lloyd Ziebarth at the dedication, with the joyful sounds of children playing in the basement. ?And certainly one of the basic needs of any family is to have a decent, affordable place to live. So this is wh

at motivates and moves Habitat for Humanity,? said Ziebarth. The family received a gift basket of cleaning supplies from Michigan State University Extension. ?One of our focuses is how do you keep your energy costs down,? said Cindy Brock, MSU extension agent. ?We know that clean windows make the sun come in better and therefore you can use the sunshine to help heat your home.?

The Nicholses received a Bible, which is customary with the dedication of a new home, and a plaque that states the house has a stud in it that was once part of the Christmas Tree of Hope that stood at the Capitol in Washington last year.

?I LOVE IT,? said Christine. ?I?m proud to be the homeowner of the new Habitat house.? ?We dedicate and consecrate this home for the dwelling place of Rob and Christine and their son, and we pray for God?s presence and continued blessing on them that they may prosper and enjoy their home,? Ziebarth prayed, as the ceremony came to a close. Rob would like to someday return the favor and make a contribution to the community that helped him.