Habitat home dedication is Saturday

Published Sunday, March 16, 2008

By Mandy Bourgeois

The O'Dell house in Bridgeport once again saw action on Friday morning as crews arrived to level the yard before volunteers placed sod and planted flowers, shrubs and a tree in the muddy soil.

It had been more than two weeks since volunteer crews finished the Trinity Habitat for Humanity Home in Bridgeport, the first for the city and second in Wise County. In fact, volunteers worked so efficiently that the home was completed two days early, taking eight days instead of the projected 10 to build a four-bedroom, 1,330 square foot home.

"We were done really quickly," said Megan Collins, construction supervisor for Trinity Habitat for Humanity, with Habitat board member Richard Streller adding, "The build went really well. The volunteers did a great job and Megan did a great job. It's one of the best builds Habitat has ever had."

Saturday (March 15) marks the dedication of the home, with Habitat for Humanity hosting a dedication celebration at 10 a.m. at the O'Dell's home.

"The dedication is a time where we celebrate what has been accomplished together and recognize our wonderful sponsors and volunteers," said Angela Bills, chapter director. "The event is always an amazing time for the future homeowner, volunteers and sponsors."

For Angela O'Dell and her family, husband, David, and their children, Chris, 15, Mathew, 11, Destiny, 6, and Jacob, 4, the day will be emotional. On Friday, Angela expressed her nervousness about Saturday, knowing that she would probably spend the dedication crying.

"I am excited," she said of the dedication. "I want to thank our sponsors, volunteers and the people who donated the food. And I want to thank Habitat for giving us the opportunity to have a house. I just don't know if I'll be able to say all that (Saturday)."

Angela worked at the house throughout the build, as well as the days after the build in order to get it ready for the dedication. She also has a furniture layout plan in her head and her children have picked out their rooms, even though the move-in date is still more than a month away. The process continues for the O'Dell family, as Angela and David must prepare paperwork for their mortgage before moving in.

"I wish I could just wake up and everything be here," Angela said.

And with the completion of one project, Trinity Habitat for Humanity is already looking forward to the build scheduled for the fall in southeast Wise County. Future homeowner Bandy Hicks and sons, Nathan and Aidan, of Newark, will be the next Wise County residents to partner with the organization.

"The plan is to build at least two houses a year," Streller said. "We'll build as many houses as we can fund. We have the need and we have the volunteers."

As the time nears that Angela can finally sit down and relax in her home, she has retained her happiness throughout the process.

"It was exciting from day one," Angela O'Dell said. "Kind of overwhelming."